THE RIVER-TROUT. 269 



(see " Familiar History of British Fishes," p. 292 et seq.). 

 It certainly is the case that in catching trout for spawning 

 purposes many more male fish are caught than females. 

 Buckland's suggestion may account for this. 



As to the other so-called species of fresh-water trout, 

 great difference of opinion still and probably always will 

 exist. The great lake-trout, Salmo ferox, for instance, 

 is considered by the late Dr. Day to be merely an old and 

 large S. fario. Yarrell makes it a distinct species, as having 

 thirteen dorsal rays instead of fourteen, with a different 

 form of scale. Giinther makes a difference of vertebrae 

 567 in S. fcrox, 5960 in S. fario. But Day asserts that 

 there are undoubted specimens of S. fario with 1315 rays 

 on dorsal fin, and with 56-60 vertebrae. 



The Salmo stomachicus (the Gillaroo), has been made 

 into a species, from the membranes of the stomach being 

 so much thicker than in any other trout ; the young fish 

 do not show this peculiarity, and appear to feed exactly on 

 the same shells, Limnceus, Ancyclus, &c., which other trout 

 eat, without forming gizzard stomachs. 



Again, the variety or species which under the name of 

 Loch Leven Trout has had particular attention drawn to it 

 from its successful cultivation at Howietoun, Guildford, 

 and other fish-culture establishments, is perhaps more 

 puzzling. It has been for very many years a subject for 

 argument and difference as to whether this fish should be 

 considered a species distinct from S. fario, and, if so, 

 whether it might not be a descendant of a marine form 

 (S. tmtta), which, having ascended into Loch Leven from 

 the sea, was suddenly prevented returning ; and if this 

 should be the case, whether its introduction (provided S. 

 trutta and S. fario are distinct races) into rivers and its 

 interbreeding with S. fario might produce hybrids, and 

 thus tend to sterility. For the present, it appears, from the 

 observation of different people, that this is not to be dreaded. 

 Mr. Spalding states that the introduction of Loch Leven 

 trout into the river Darent in Kent, has greatly improved 

 the quality of the trout, their flesh, from being white and 

 flabby, becoming pink and firm. 



