CHAPTER V 



THE SALMON FAMILY 



The members of the salmon family are elegant in shape, 

 and they all possess a distinguishing feature by which 

 they can be recognised. This feature is a modification 

 of the second fin on the back, which has been so altered 

 that it merely consists of a fold of skin containing fat, 

 and is known as the adipose or fatty fin. On the plate 

 facing p. 46 some members of the salmon family are 

 shown, namely, the smelt, the rainbow trout and the 

 brown trout, and this adipose fin is clearly seen in 

 each case. 



In a group of fishes so large as the one under con- 

 sideration, many species are naturally described. 



First and foremost are the salmons themselves, 

 which include the salmon (Salmo salar) and the various 

 trouts. Then there are the brilliantly coloured chars, 

 found mainly in Switzerland, Ireland and Lake Winder- 

 mere. The smelt is a member of the salmon family ; and 

 further, a small smelt found on the coast and in the 

 rivers of New Zealand is the only salmon inhabiting 

 waters out of the northern hemispheres, except for those 

 which have been recently imported by man. 



The graylings, which give excellent sport, are well 

 known in this country and in Canada ; and last, but not 



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