222 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



the inixod water of the estuaries, is such, that it can be preserved 

 fresh but a very short time. The body of the fish is rather deep for its 

 length 5 the lateral line is very nearly straight, i^assing along the mid- 

 dle of the body, the scales adhering closely. The upper part of the head 

 aud body, a rich sea-green color ; the lower part of the sides and belly, 

 a brilliant sil very- white ; the fins white, except the dorsal, which is 

 nearly the color of the back. 



Sir William Jardiue, in speaking of this fish, accurately describes its 

 habits, as observed in New Brunswick. He. says : "In approaching the 

 entrance of rivers, or in seeking out as it were some one they preferred, 

 shoals of these fish may be seen coasting the bays and harbors, leaj^ing 

 and sporting in great nnmbers, from about one pound to three or four 

 pounds in weight ; and in some of the smaller bays, the shoal could be 

 traced several times circling it, aud apparently feeding." 



Mr. H. Robinson Storer, during his visit to Labrador in 1849, met with 

 a single specimen of the salmon-trout of the gulf at Ked Bay, in the 

 Straits of Belle Isle, and designated it Salmo immaculatus. The scientific 

 description he gives is accurately that of the present, and is as fol- 

 lows : 



" CqIot. — Silvery on sides and abdomen ; darker on back ; no spots. 



^^ Bescripiion. — Length of head about one-sixth length of body ; depth 

 of head, two-thirds its length ; greatest depth of body directly in front 

 of dorsal fin, equal to length of head. Upper jaw the longer. Jaws 

 with numerous sharp incurved teeth. Eyes laterally elongated; their 

 diameter one-third the distance between them. Opercles rounded pos- 

 teriorly ; lower portion of operculum naked, marked with concentric striip,; 

 preopercle larger than in the font inalis ; scales larger than those of the 

 fontinalis. Lateral line commences back of superior angle of opercle, 

 and, assuming the curve of the body, is lost at the commencement of 

 the caudal rays. The first dorsal fin commences just anterior to median 

 line ; is nearly quadrangular. Adipose fin situated at a distance back of 

 the first dorsal, little less than one-half the length of the fish. Pectorals 

 just l)eneath iiosterior angle of operculum; their length three-fifths 

 that of the head. Ventrals just beneath posterior i^ortion of first dor- 

 sal ; the plates at their base very large. The anal is situated at a 

 distance back of the ventrals just equal to length of head, and terminates 

 directly beneath the adipose fin ; of the form of first dorsal. Caudal 

 deeply forked ; its length equal to greater depth of body. Dorsal, 9 ; 

 pectorals, 13 ; ventrals, 9 ; anal, 11 ; caudal, 30 ; length, 13|^ inches." 



To the epicure a fresh-caught salmon-trout of the Gulf of Saint Law- 

 rence, especially early in the season, will always afford a rich treat. 

 The sportsman will find it a thoroughly game-fish, rising well at a bril- 

 liant fly of scarlet ibis and gold, and affording sport second only to 

 salmon-fishing. The writer has caught this fish with the scarlet ibis 

 fly in the break of the surf, at the entrance of Saint Peter's Bay, on 

 the north side of Prince Edward Island, of the weight of 5 pounds ; but 



