336 ZOOLOGY. 



From my own observation while stationed on the northwest coast, and from information received 

 from others, I feel justified in pronouncing this an error, as I have seen the adult male while 

 fresh run and silvery, with these remarkable characteristics strongly developed months certainly 

 weeks before the spawning season. It may be, however, as suggested by Dr. Cooper, that 

 old males that have in previous seasons entered the rivers for spawning purposes, having 

 afterwards recuperated in the salt water, do return with this peculiar formation of the jaws and 

 mouth. This subject has, unfortunately, as yet, been but little examined. I was frequently 

 told by fishermen, Indians, and others, that the females lack these peculiarities, thus confirming 

 Dr. Scouler s statement. If such is the case it will account for Dr. Cooper s remark, that &quot;the 

 amount of hooking of the nose seemed very much independent of size or season.&quot; In my field- 

 notes regarding this species I find the following remarks: &quot;The skowitz of the Nisquallies, or 

 hooked-nosed salmon of the ivhites, is a very common kind. Adult males of this species have 

 always, even when in excellent condition and fresh run from the sea, a decurved cartilaginous process 

 from the symphisis of the upper maxilla, behind which the point of the lower jaw is received. 

 The females (at least when fresh run) are without this appendage. In the absence of the hooked 

 snout in the females this species is like the S. hamatus, as described in the annexed quotation. 

 The strong teeth found on the intermaxillary protuberance of the male will afford a subject of 

 comparison for the field-observer, when comparing the present species with the worn-out males 

 of the S. quinnat. 



In the Fauna B. Americana, Part III, p. 141, Sir John Richardson makes the following 

 remarks upon the Lapland Salmo hamatus, which are interesting in the present connexion 

 because thought by him to come nearest to the S. scouleri, (see foot note to page 1GO of the 

 same volume,) he says: &quot;As I have not seen an authentic specimen of the Salmo hamatus of the 

 Regne Animal, I am unable decidedly to controvert M. Agassiz opinion that it is merely a 

 nominal species, founded upon a change of form which takes place in the old males of Salmo 

 salar; but the evidence I have gleaned from authors induces me to follow Cuvier in considering 

 it to be quite distinct.&quot; ***** &quot;The following passage, quoted from the Lachesis 

 Lapponica, tends to prove not only the northern range of the Salmo hamatus, but also that the 

 hook of the lower jaw is developed even in young fish; but the old males of the common salmon 

 that we usually see in the Nith, and some other British rivers, have a comparatively slight hook. 

 Here, in Lulean Lapland, the common salmon is found with the under jaw occasionally 

 hooked. I inquired whether this variety w y as esteemed a distinct species, or whether a difference 

 arising from age; both of which questions I was answered in the negative. I was shown a fish 

 of the smallest size, which had in proportion as large a hook to the lower jaw as the largest. I 

 inquired whether the hooked salmon were furnished with roe or milt. I was answered that they 

 had always milt. On opening seven of them I found this verified; whereas four salmon which 

 were not hooked had roes. The hooked or male salmon is so called because the point of its 

 lower jaw is bent inward and has a taper form, resembling a finger, while, on the contrary, the 

 upper one is formed with a cavity to receive the point, embracing it like a sheath for about 

 half its length. &quot; 



When worn out, all specimens have the hooked snout, but in the female I judge that this is 

 only owing to the absorption of the fatty cushions along the upper jaw, whereas in the male the 

 original characteristic is exaggerated by emaciation. The skowitz is a very abundant species, 

 and affords, in fact, the principal salmon harvest to the natives, who dry vast quantities for 

 winter consumption. This species commences to run up the fresh water streams emptying into 



