.350 THE FRESII-WATElf FISHES OF EUROPE. 



Coregonus vimba (Linn/eus). 



D. l-Z, A. II — ] 0. Scales : lat. lino SO, transverse ' 



' 10. 



Popularly disting-uislied under the name HlL--iriinnia, this variety of 

 Coreg-onus is widely distributed in Sweden. It is most closely allied to C. 

 albuld, with which it agrees in tin rays, arrangement of the scales, and number 

 of the vertebrae. There are similarly seven long-itudinal rows of scales between 

 the lateral line and the root of the pectoral fin. The diameter of the eye is in 

 both cases equal to the leng-th of the snout, and about one-quarter of the leng-th 

 of the head, and we are unable from Dr. Giinther's diagnosis to recognise any 

 sufficient character to separate it as a species. ]Mr. Lloyd states that the 

 adipose fin is said to be slightly serrated. 



The habits of the different kinds of Sik are similar. They live in deep 

 water; but in spring approach the shore, following the Smelt to the 

 spawning-g-round, for the purpose of feeding on the spawn. In the autumn 

 they return to the shore ag-ain for their own spawning. The least blow on the 

 head, according to Mr. Lloyd, causes death. The fish is reputed very cunning, 

 and the Swedes have a saying' of a sly person that he is " as cunning- as a Sik.'^ 

 The flesh is eaten fresh or salted, and is occasionally smoked. During the 

 long winter in Lapland it furnishes a considerable part of the food of ti)e 

 people. 



Coregonus poUan (Thompson). — The PoUan. 



D. 13—11., A. 12—13, Y. 12, P. 15— IG, C. 23. 



Scales : lat. line 80 — 86, transverse 9/11. 



The PoUan is known only from the loughs of Ireland, where it is com- 

 monly about six inches long-, though occasionally twice this length. Its 

 habits are not dissimilar to those of the Powan. It approaches the shores in 

 large shoals in spring and summer in search of food, and even far on into the 

 autumn. It is commonly fished for in the afternoon, probably for the evening- 

 meal. It is rarely taken with the fly, from which we may infer that it is not 

 insect-eating-, but feeds on small mollusca. Mr. Thompson records that 

 seventeen thousand two hundred and twenty were taken in a single draught in 

 Lough Neagh in one September, and were sold on the spot for £-l'i Os. 8d. They 

 are largely consumed in Belfast, where the cry of " Fresh Pollan ! " is more 

 common than that of " Fresh Herring ! " It is taken to neighbouring places 

 by rail, but recpiires to be eaten sjieedily after caj)tufe. 



