GEN. SALMO. THE COMMON TROUT. 135 



emaciated or completely out of season as they are. 

 It may be taken by the rod almost at any time of 

 the year, without even excepting winter, in certain 

 states of the weather, and the sport it affords during 

 the proper fishing season, and when the river or loch 

 is in prime order, is well known to be excellent. 



The most striking characteristic of the Common 

 Trout is the profusion of bright red spots with 

 which its sides are speckled : 



" Purpureisque salar stellatus tergore guttis." 



These in combination with its other brilliant hues, 

 render it when newly taken from the water an ex- 

 ceedingly beautiful fish. The head is rather large 

 and blunt, the gill-cover produced behind into a 

 rounded angle ; the teeth numerous, strong, and re- 

 curved, those on the vomer extending the whole 

 length ; the eye large, having the irides silvery, with 

 a tinge of pink* Number of fin rays, 



D. 14 P. 14 V. 9 A. 11 C. 19 Vert. 56. 



Tail slightly forked, in old fish nearly square, and 

 even occasionally somewhat convex in the outline. 

 The colour of the back and upper parts of the sides 

 is dusky brown, inclining to olive, with numerous 

 obscure reddish spots ; sides usually golden yellow, 

 with from eight to a dozen bright red spots along 

 the lateral line, and a few others scattered above 

 and below it ; belly commonly silvery white ; dor- 

 sal fins and tail light brown, the adipose fin edged 

 with red, and often marked with two dark spots ; 



