THE GRAYLINGS 



THERE are three forms of graylings 

 in North American waters, none of 

 which, however, are indigenous to 

 New England and Eastern Canada. 

 The typical species is represented by the Arctic 

 grayling, — Thymallus signifer, the generic title 

 being an ancient one, conferred upon it because of 

 the odor of thyme that its body diffused (a quality 

 which the grayling of this generation certainly 

 does not possess) ; the specific name, signifer, from 

 its large and resplendent dorsal fin or flag. 



The Arctic grayling was first found in the streams 

 flowing into the Arctic Ocean, by Sir John Frank- 

 lin in 1 819, and Midshipman Back of that ex- 

 pedition was the first angler to take them with a 

 fly; hence the fish is frequently called "Back's 

 grayling " ; by the voyageurs of the extreme North- 

 west, it is known as the Poisson bleu. The colora- 

 tion of this grayling is extremely beautiful : the 

 back is dark, the sides purplish gray, and the belly 

 darkish gray with irregular whitish blotches. 

 The head is tinged with brown, and a blue mark- 



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