159 



EOWAN. 



THE fish of Loch Lomond which, under the name of Powen, or Powan, has been thought 

 by some to be a species of Coregonus distinct from C. clupeoides, or the Gwyniad, appears 

 to be identical with it. Parnell, considering it to be a distinct species, named it after the 

 French naturalist, Lacepede, and this is retained by Yarrell in his second edition. " These 

 fish," says Parnell, "are found in Loch Lomond in great numbers. They are caught from 

 the month of March until September with large drag nets, and occasional instances have 

 occurred in which a few have been taken with a small artificial fly ; a minnow or bait they 

 have never been known to touch. Early in the morning and late in the evening large 

 shoals of them are observed approaching the shore in search of food, and rippling the 

 surface of the water with their fins as they proceed. In this respect they resemble in their 

 habits the Vendace of Loch Maben and the salt-water Herring. They are never seen under 

 any circumstances in the middle of the day. From the estimation these fish are held in by 

 the neighbouring inhabitants, they are seldom sent far before they meet with a ready sale, 

 and are entirely unknown in the markets of Glasgow. In the months of August and Sep- 

 tember they are in the best condition for the table, when they are considered well-flavoured, 

 wholesome, and delicate food. They shed their spawn in October to December, and remain 

 out of condition till March." 



There seems to be no doubt that the Powan is merely the Scotch representative of the 

 Welsh Gwyniad. The Coregonus microccphalus of Parnell is also to be referred to the Gwyniad. 



The food of the Gwyniad, and of the other British species of Coregonus, consists principally 

 of insect larvae, both those which swim in the water, as the Ephemerida, and those which are 

 attached to stones, as some of the Triehoptera. 



