1. SALMO. 11^5 



an omen of coming war, on account of its blood-red spots. This fish 

 (which is one of the finest of its kind) has never to my knowledge 

 been seen in the waters of K.ussi;i or Siberia. 



29. Salmo labrax. 



Salmo labrax, Pall. Zuoyr. Moss. -As. iii. p. 046. 

 Pallas describes it as foUows : — 



D. 10. A. 9. 



About an cU in length. Snout conical, with the jaws equal and 

 armed with sharp teeth, tongue with stronger teeth. Body similar 

 in appearance to that of S.fario, silvery white, without spots, beco- 

 ming dusky on the back. Pectoral fins bluish ; dorsal with black 

 spots in irregular series, especially at the base ; caudal tiamcated, 

 with the angles pointed. 



It is often killed with spears at the entrance of the harbour of 

 Sebastopol, whence it frequently ascends into the river Bijukosen, 

 and is occasionally taken about Cherson and at Otschakof, in the 

 shallows and shoals, with spears or nets. It is good eating, the 

 flesh becoming red in cooking. 



30. Salmo autumnalis. 



Salmo autumnalis, Pall. Zooyr. Roxs.-As. iii. p. .355 ; Cuv. 8f Val. xxi. 

 p. 258. 



B. 11. D. 13. A. 12. P. 15. 



Size a little exceeding that of S. eryfhrceiis, about two feet and a 

 half ; appearance similar. Head blackish, convex, beneath white : 

 snout conical, obtuse, but less so than in S. eri/tJircpus, with the 

 lower^aw frequently slightly bent upwards. Teeth slightlj* curved ; 

 larger ones in the lower jaw, which is somewhat the longer ; middle- 

 sized ones on the superior arch of the palate and the tongue ; minute 

 ones on the margin of the maxillary. Body low, compressed, in 

 the female more ventricose, with small scales. Lateral line quite 

 straight, slightly ascending, the branchial sinus beaded. Coloration 

 above the line brownish, with a few dots near together of a whitish 

 colour ; below the lateral line greyish, with yeUowdsli small quincunx- 

 shaped spots ; colour of the belly white, here and there becoming 

 reddish, as though suffused with blood. Dorsal fin bro^^^l ; adipose 

 narrower at the base. Pectoral fins reddish. Ventrals bright red, 

 with external margin white; accessory scale conspicuous, awl-shaped. 

 Anal fin brownish red, with anterior margin white. Caudal brown, 

 semibifid (as in S. schiffermulUri), robust, with the lobes pointed. 

 Total length 1 foot 6 inches 3 lines ; length of the head 3 inches 

 7 lines, of the tail 2 inches 5 lines; distance of dorsal fin from snout 

 7 inches 9 lines, of anal fin almost 1 foot, of adipose 1 foot 1 inch 

 2 lines. 



In the month of October these fish ascend into the river Neva in 

 shoals full of milt and spawn, and fall into the nets in large num- 

 bers. Scent very strong, offensive to Salmon, as also to Coregoni. 



VOL. VI. 1 



