53 



food-fish, much sought after by the natives in the fall, 

 along with the white-fish and the great smelt." The high 

 and beautifully colored dorsal-fin of this species, the lich 

 purple lustre of the sides, and the jet-black spots not far 

 behind the head, make it one of the most conspicuous and 

 beautiful species of the fresh-waters. 



The red-spotted brook-trout of California, also known as 

 the dolly varden {SaUelinus malma, Plate III, fig. 8) is one 

 of the best-known and most abundant fishes of Alaska. In 

 the sea-run condition, when its sides are uniform silvery and 

 do not show the red spots, it is called the salmon trout, and, 

 preserved in brine, forms a staple article of commerce. In 

 Alaska the species increases in size northward. Individ- 

 uals measuring thirty inches in length and weighing eight 

 or ten pounds are frequently obtained. Natives of northern 

 Alaska make waterproof clothing from the skin of this 

 trout. The dolly varden abounds in all parts of the terri- 

 tory, even in the Aleutian Islands and in the extreme 

 northern limits. It is known to occur also in the Mac- 

 kenzie and in the tributaries of the Saskatchawan— this 

 basin apparently representing its eastern limit. The dolly 

 varden takes the artificial fly very freely. On one of the 

 islands of the Shumagin group several hundred individuals 

 were so captured in one hour by a party from the United 

 States steamer Albatross in 1889. Salmon eggs prove very 

 effective also in taking this trout, and it is very destructive 

 to the eggs of the various species of Pacific salmon. The 

 young trout are destroyed in enormous numbers by gulls, 

 terns, and other aquatic birds. 



The lake trout, Mackinaw or namaycush, tuladi, togue, 

 lunge, etc., etc., of the great lakes. New England, Labrador, 

 Idaho, and British America (Plate III, fig. 9), has been ob- 

 tained in the Putnam, or Kuwuk, River, where it reaches a 

 fine state of development. The southern limit of this species 

 in Alaska is not known. This is the largest trout of North 



