136 MALACOP. ABDOM. SALMON FAMILY, 



all the other fins pale yellowish brown. Scales 

 small and adherent, about twenty-five m a row near 

 the lateral line. 



So extremely variable is the Trout both in colour 

 and markings, that scarcely two individuals from 

 separate localities will answer to the same descrip- 

 tion. Many naturalists conjecture that more than 

 one species are confounded together ; but it would 

 seem that if there be reasons for regarding one or 

 two kinds as species, there are at least half a dozen 

 others with equal claims to that distinction. It is 

 difficult, if not impossible, to say how certain local 

 and adventitious influences act in changing the co- 

 lour and spotting ; but a certain character in these 

 two properties has been so generally recognised ia 

 particular places, as to leave no doubt of there being 

 a connexion between the one and the other, as cause 

 and effect. Thus, in lakes and rivers fed by dark 

 waters from boggy moors, the tints become very 

 deep, the back appearing almost black, and the sides 

 and belly intense yellow, with the spots very large ; 

 and various intermediate shades can be observed ac- 

 cording to the clearness of the water, till we come 

 to a perfectly chrystalline stream flowing over a 

 pebbly bottom, when the colours become extremely 

 pure, and the lustre of great brilliancy. Sir H. Davy 

 was of opinion that when they feed much on hard 

 substances, such as larvae and their cases, and the 

 ova of other fish, they have more red spots and red- 

 der fins ; and that when they feed most on small 

 fish, and on flies, they have more tendency to be 



