FISHERIES OF SACRAMENTO AND COLUMBIA RIVERS. 817 



imitioii of two dried skins in the Smithsonian collection.] Profile of 

 dorsal outline nearly straight. Tail terminating in a slightly semi-lunar 

 outline. Ventrals correspond to commencement of dorsal and adipose to 

 end of anal. Jaws fully armed with strong, hooked teeth, except a 

 small space in center of upper jaw. Vomer armed with a doable row 

 for two-thirds of its anterior portion. Back of head and body bluish- 

 gray, sides ash-gray, belly white, caudal spotted with oval dark spots. 

 Snout rounded (much more blunt than S. quinnat). Head short and 

 comparatively broad. Under tins light-colored. 



This fish is undoubtedly the well-known blueback of the Lower Co- 

 lumbia, but it is also supposed by several fishermen to be the same as 

 the square-tailed salmon {Salnio truncatus) of the Willamette. Suckley 

 and Cooper (see p. 328, vol. ii, Pacific Eailroad Reports) also say that it 

 is possible that they may be found to be identical. As I was not suc- 

 cessful in obtaining a specimen of the blueback during my short stay 

 on the Columbia, 1 am unable even to express an opinion on this point. 



This fish accompanies the Salmo quinnat, though in small numbers, in 

 ascending the Columbia in the summer, but in the fall is much more 

 abundant in the main river. It is easily distinguished from the Salnio 

 quinnat by its having a smaller head, a less forked tail, a slenderer and 

 straighter body, and in being a smaller fish. These, however, are the 

 very characteristics which distinguish the Salmo truncatus from the Sal- 

 mo quinnat. Suckley and Cooper, however, in comparing two imperfectly 

 dried skins of the gairdneri with one of the Salmo truncatus, observed 

 the following differences, viz: "The S. truncatus has the head smaller 

 and shorter ; tail neither so wide nor so long, and more spotted ; teeth 

 in the lower jaw more numerous, but smaller; muzzle and chin more 

 pointed ; body posterior to anal fin more slender. The lengths of the 

 three skins were much the same, those of the S. gairdneri being slightly 

 greater. The teeth of the latter are larger and more scattered, being 

 in one specimen 9.9, and in the other 10.10, on the arms of the lowjr 

 jaw. Those of the S. truncatus have 14-16 on each side, and although 

 in line, were dispersed in a pair-like manner, i. e., every other interval 

 being greater. This pair-like disposition of the teeth is not seen in the 

 S. gairdneri. 



Fario stellatus, Girard. 



Syn. — Common names: Common Trout; Oregon Brook trout. 



Indian names: Nisqually Indians, Kwuss-putt; Wasco Indians, Opkalloo. 



The specific characters, as given by Suckley and Cooper, on p. 346 of 

 vol. xii, part ii, of Pacific Railroad Reports, are as follows : 



" Sp. Ch. — Body elongated and fusiform ; head well developed, con- 

 tained four times and three-quarters in the total length; jaws equal; 

 maxillary gently curved, reaching a vertical line drawn posteriorly to 

 the orbit. Anterior margin of dorsal fin a little nearer to the extremity of 

 the mouth than the insertion of caudal fin. Back light olive ; belly light 

 yellowish-white; head, body, and fins profusely spotted with black." 



