FOREST, LAKE, AND RIVER 



in diameter, easily crushed by the teeth, and filled 

 with juicy meat. This reddish snail [Limnea 

 ovata), that inhabits the shallows near the shores, 

 and a sessile-eyed fresh-water shrimp (Gammarus 

 pulex) stand first in importance among the native 

 articles of diet. In new quarters, where the menu 

 is different, Loch Levens invariably deteriorate in 

 quality and flavor. 



The colors of the muscles and integument also 

 change with change of environment. The Loch 

 Levens in their native habitat are graceful, silvery, 

 dark-spotted fish. The coloration of the back 

 varies as the trout matures, from greenish gray to 

 purplish, shot with gold. The spots are black and 

 ocellated, a red spot being exceptionally rare. 

 The adipose fin is not banded with red, nor are 

 the edges of the caudal tinted with orange. The 

 flesh is a deep orange pink ; the coloring substance 

 of the crustacean fare, reddened by the stomachic 

 secretion as by boiling, passes into the circulation 

 of the fish and imparts to the muscles a rich salmon 

 hue. Transfer to other waters destitute of crusta- 

 cean food disposes to a livery more like that of the 

 common brown trout. Loch Leven diet conditions 

 Loch Leven colors. 



Water contains no pluckier fish than this sharp- 

 eyed, quick-eared beauty ; and those who have 



190 



