138 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OP FISH AND FISHERIES. 



Ijrevailing color of the back by a fiiint golden band, of irregular width ; 

 [in some specimens this extends from the iris to the base of the tail.] 

 The lateral line was distinct. Irides, golden bronze, with several round- 

 ish spots of black upon them of the size of a pin's head. The un- 

 der fins were of a pale red, their external rays of a deeper color. 

 Patches of bright vermilion, about one-eighth of an inch in width, were 

 found extending back from the chin to a point oi)posite the middle of 

 the opercnla. The chin was white, Uke the belly. [The vermilion bands 

 above spoken of exist normally in all the specimens seen of this spe- 

 cies, and are present also in other species, for example, the S. stellatus 

 of Oregon.] The tail was but slightly emarginate. Angle of mouth 

 about opposite (belowj the posterior border of the pupil. 



The general hues of the Fort Bridger trout, when freshly taken, were 

 silveiy, glistening with bright reflections 5 the scales are somewhat 

 larger than those of S. fontinalis ; the point of greatest girth being 

 reached by the tips of pectoral fins when stroked back. Upon inquiry 

 at Fort Bridger, we learned that 17 or 18 inches might be considered 

 the maximum size in those waters, and out of forty or fifty fish it is rare 

 to find one over a foot in length. 



The species in the Timpanagos Eiver appeared, upon careful examina- 

 tion, to be identical with that of Black's Fork, but much larger. They 

 retreat to the quiet and deep w^aters of Lake Utah, from whence they 

 ascend the Timpanagos at certain seasons of the year. A friend there 

 caught, in August, 1851, one trout which weighed some five or six pounds, 

 (approximately,) and was 26 inches in length. They are said to grow 

 occasionally to 30 inches in length, and are an active, fine fish, affoKd- 

 ing much sport to the fly-fisher, and a delicacy to the epicure. 



About the 1st of September last, we caught three trout from the same 

 stream. Two of these were of good size, weighing from If to 2^ x>ounds, 

 respectively. They rose freely to large, dark hackles, but refused gaudy 

 or light-colored flies. Owing to poor flies, which had been in our pos- 

 session for several years, the whipping of the hooks having shrunk so 

 that they were easily pulled off, we caught but these three out of many 

 fish that jumped at them. The stream was excellently adapted for 

 casting the fly, and aboundilig in flsh of fine size and quality, was fit to 

 take position in an angler's paradise. 



The trout of Weber River seemed to vary from those of Black's Fork, 

 in having the lower fins much more tinged with yellow. The stomachs 

 of all, when examined, were found ,to contain insects, such as wasps, 

 beetles, ants, &c. 



We are inclined to believe that the geographical range of the species 

 extends to the west as far as Gravelly Ford, on the Humboldt. Speci- 

 mens were examined which were caught at Deep Creek, one hundred 

 and fifty miles west of Great Salt Lake. Approaching so nearly to th© 

 trout of all other places in general appearance, and trout-like habits so 

 peculiar and unmistakable, we cannot refrain from again expressing 

 entire want of faith in the so-called genus Solar. 



