68 FISHES AND FISHING IN SUNAPEE LAKE. 



when taken with other apparent differences, that the usual anal-fin 

 formula in S. aureolus is 9, that of S. oquassa 10 or 11. 



The second distinction does not now obtain, for mature 9-inch 

 aureolus have been observed and oquassa is known to reach the size 

 of the average aureolus. 



The third is of no value, as it is comparing an immature or young 

 fish with a mature adult. 



The foiu'th is of little value, as it refers to a character that was 

 observed in S. aureolus, but its absence in S. oquassa was conjec- 

 tured. 



Fifth. The place of spawning is obviousty not a specific distinction. 



Sixth. The gill rakers of the large specimens of S. oquassa do not 

 differ in number, length, or in curling and other distortions from the 

 Sunapee white trout. 



Having weighed and found most of these supposed differences 

 wanting, it remains to point out the real differences, if any exist. 

 The most conspicuous external difference is of color, and that is not 

 very pronounced. The spots are more numerous and smaller, anfl 

 the under side of the pectoral fin has a narrow margin of white in 

 oquassa. While, as before stated, the oquassa occasionally has as 

 few as 9 rays m the anal, it more often has 10 or 11, and aureolus 

 never has been found to have 11, and only rarely 10. Comparmg two 

 male specimens each of the two species, the oquassa apparently has 

 a somewhat longer head and snout. More careful exammation of a 

 larger number of specimens each might either reveal more differences 

 or reduce the foregoing to naught. The young, even in the fry stage, 

 are usually easily distinguished from the common trout by fewer 

 parr marks. 



Propagation. — The European saiblmg has been successfully culti- 

 vated for many years, and judging from the experience m hatcheries in 

 Mame, as related by Mr. Merrill in a letter to Dr. Quackenbos,'^ the 

 young of the white trout could be easily reared to yearlings, if 

 desired, in artificial inclosures. Mr. Merrill states: 



At Green Lake the temperature of the water runs high in the spring, and much loss 

 has been occasioned thereby among the brook trout fry, but the saibling have in such 

 cases remained perfectly healthy. My experience in rearing this fish has been 

 extremely satisfactory, and I believe it to be one of the best subjects for the fish cul- 

 turist among our Salmonidge, especially where the fry are reared to the yearling stage, 

 as is generally done in Maine. The eggs that I received last winter hatched well, and 

 the fry in the early stages of development displayed wonderful hardiness under the 

 most trying circumstances. 



The brook trout during the spring suffered from warm water, the temperature rising 

 to 65° F. soon after they hatched. The loss was considerable, but the saibling fry 

 were not affected by this high temperature. * * * 



1 "The American Saibling," etc. Second Annual Report of the Commissioners of Fisheries, Game and 

 Forests of New York for 1896, p. 185-191. 



