238 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 
armature of their mouth very clearly pointing out the nature of their food. All that we know 
positively on the subject, is that in our brook trout, those which inhabit ponds are dark colored 
externally ; those in clear streams running over sandy bottoms, are bright; and those which 
are found in salt or brackish streams, are not only very bright externally, but their flesh has 
more of the salmon color. Inthe present species, which is only found in fresh-water streams, 
not only the colors externally are extremely vivid, but the flesh is of a bright red approaching 
carmine. 
They are above the average size of the preceding. Out of many taken at different times, I 
should be disposed to say that the average weight was about a pound and a half. I do not 
remember to have seen one weighing four pounds, although J have heard of their weighing more. 
THE LAKE TROUT. 
SaLMO CONFINIS. 
* PLATE XXXVIII. FIG. 123. 
The Lake Trout. Dovucury, Cabinet of Natnral History, Vol. 1, p. 145, pl. 13, fig, 1. 
Characteristics. Blackish, with numerous grey spots. Body robust ; comparatively short in 
grey S| y Pp y 
proportion to its depth. Caudal fin with a sinuous margin. Length two 
to four feet. 
Description. Body stout, thicker and shorter than the common salmon. Length of the 
head to the total length, as one to four and a half nearly. Dorsal outline curved. Scales 
small, orbicular and minutely striate. The lateral line distinctly marked by a series of tubu- 
lar plates, arising at the upper angle of the opercular opening, slightly concave until it passes 
over the base of the pectoral fin, when it proceeds straight to the tail. Head flattened between 
the eyes. Snout produced, and, in aged individuals, with a tubercular enlargement on its 
extremity. Eyes large ; the antero-posterior diameter of the orbits 1°5, and their distance 
apart 2°5. Nostrils contiguous, patent; the anterior vertically oval, the posterior smaller 
and rounded. Under jaw shortest, and received into a cavity in the upper. The transverse 
membrane over the roof of the mouth exceedingly tough and thick; the numerous curved 
teeth in the jaws partly concealed by a loose fleshy membrane. ‘Tongue long, narrow and 
thick, with series of large teeth along the central furrow. Many series of acute teeth on the 
vomer and palatines. 
The first dorsal fin with its upper margin rounded, subtriangular, arising somewhat nearer 
the snout than to the extremity of the caudal rays, higher than long ; measuring 4°5 in height, 
and 40 along the base. It is composed of fourteen rays ; the first two short, and imbedded 
in the flesh ; the fourth and fifth rays longest. The adipose fin 1-0 long, rounded at the end, 
scarcely narrowed at the base, an inch long, and placed over the end of the anal fin. Pectoral 
fins broad and pointed, five inches long, and arising slightly behind a line drawn from the 
upper posterior angle of the opercle ; it is composed of fourteen rays. The ventral fins placed 
nearly under the centre of the dorsal fin, composed of nine rays, and furnished with a thick 
