BRITISH FRESH-WATER FISHES 
we 
be insufficient to reveal all the mysteries of its life.’’ 
The noted astronomer was right, and if those who are so 
fond of manufacturing species would take his dictum to 
heart, it would be all the better for Natural History, and 
would not deter the many from taking an interest because 
of the high falutin’ of the privileged few. A Trout is a 
Trout, and whilst in our own rivers, ponds, lakes, lochs, 
streams, and brooks this favourite game-fish does exhibit 
great variety in colour, marking, and size, it is its life- 
history we wish to consider, and we can afford to leave 
the question above mentioned to those whose quest does 
not, by its very nature, take them to where the wind 
whispers beneath the pliant willows, and the Kingfisher 
—like a bolt from the blue—flashes past for one wonder- 
ful moment when Summer is aglow with life. There 
are ‘Trout in our seas, there are Trout in our fresh waters. 
There are those which ascend fresh water, there are 
others which descend to salt. Some Trout are always 
found in fresh water, and whilst food, temperature, 
climate, light, and environment all have some, and at 
times very marked, effect upon these various water- 
dwellers, the lives they lead are very much the same, and 
the Trout known to us since boyhood is good enough for 
our study. ‘Trout then are, above all, lovers of pure, 
fast-running streams. ‘That they resort to lakes and 
other land-locked waters is true, and to all intents and 
purposes flourish there, if conditions are suitable and the 
food supply is plentiful. ‘They inhabit deep as well as 
shallow water, for I have myself caught Salmo trutta 
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