THE SEA-TROUT. 259 



Are we, as some suppose, to consider the phinnock or 

 herling a distinct species, or only the grilse state of the sea- 

 trout ? 



Is the whiting or whitling of Cumberland the same as 

 the phinnock or herling ? 



Is the white trout of Ireland a distinct race, or the same 

 species with the Salmo trutta ? 



After a very careful study of the mass of information 

 collected on this subject, it appears to us that the external 

 distinctions which have been relied on are dependent on 

 localities and other causes which are liable to change ; that 

 the internal differences are also too variable and inconstant 

 to form specific characters ; and that the so-called species, 

 as Day says, pass one into another by insensible grada- 

 tions, without showing any line of demarcation ; that, if 

 anything, they are merely local varieties. Indeed, some 

 zoologists hold to the opinion that the sea and fresh-water 

 species are merely local races of one species ; that the 

 anadromous and fresh-water forms simply result from local 

 circumstances consequent on immediate surroundings, but 

 that both are descended from one ancestral form. 



Major Treherne, in his evidence before the Commissioners 

 appointed to inquire into the English and Welsh salmon- 

 fisheries, stated that in his belief the sewin of Wales, the 

 sea-trout of Scotland, and the white trout of Ireland are 

 the same fish ; there is also reason to suppose that the 

 salmon trout and peal of Devonshire and Cornwall are the 

 same as Salmo trutta, and that the phinnock, herling, and 

 whitling are only local names for the grilse state of the sea- 

 trout, Salmo trutta. Much has been written on this subject, 

 many believing that the phinnock and herling are distinct 

 species. Day collected an immense amount of information, 

 all tending to prove that Major Treherne is right in what 

 he states. 



The parr of the sea-trout orange-fins, as they are called 

 is marked almost similarly to the parr of the salmon, 

 but the dorsal fin has generally a more distinct white 

 upper edge anteriorly and a blackish basal band. Its 

 adipose fin is tipped with orange. In the grilse state the 



