Description of the Species 165 



The Dog Salmon 



The dog salmon {Oncorkynchus keta) has from 

 one hundred and forty to one hundred and eighty- 

 five pyloric caeca, fifteen short gill-rakers, medium- 

 sized scales, and thirteen or fourteen rays in the 

 anal fin. Its form resembles that of the quinnat 

 It is dusky above, paler on the sides, and is usu- 

 ally covered with fine spots. The average weight 

 is twelve pounds, and the maximum twenty pounds. 

 Its range is from San Francisco to Kamchatka, 

 although it is not equally abundant in all parts of 

 its habitat, the largest runs being in Alaska. The 

 enlargement and distortion of the jaws, together 

 with its very large teeth, ^ive to this species its 

 common name. It is the least valuable of the 

 salmons. When just from the salt water the flesh 

 has a fine red color and is not unpalatable, but it 

 quickly deteriorates. It spawns in the fall in 

 shallow rivers and creeks. 



The Steelhead 



The steelhead {Salmo gairdneri\ while in 

 reality a trout, is popularly regarded as a salmon, 

 and on the west coast is known as winter salmon, 

 hardhead, salmon-trout, and square-tailed trout. 



