FISHES OF NEW YORK 273 



sixth of length of head. The dorsal fin is about midway be- 

 tween tip of snout and root of tail. The length of its base 

 equals about half its greatest depth of body. The longest ray 

 equals length of ventral. The ventral origin is a little behind 

 the middle of the dorsal. In the male, when laid backward, it 

 reaches nearly to the vent. The length of the appendage 

 equals that of the eye. The anal base is two thirds as long as 

 the ventral, its longest ray equal to ventral. The adipose fin 

 is short and stout, its width two thirds of its length and about 

 two thirds of length of eye. D. 10; A. 9. Scales in lateral line 

 225 to 235; six gill rakers above the angle of the first arch; 11 

 below. 



The coloration is highly variable with age and locality. The 

 upper parts are usually grayish much mottled with dark olive 

 or black. The dorsal fin and anterior part of caudal base and 

 top of head are also mottled. The caudal has narrow dark bars. 

 The lower fins dusky with a creamy white interior edge bound 

 behind by a narrow black streak. On the sides numerous pale 

 brownish blotches encircle small vermilion spots. 



The brook or speckled trout of the east is indigenous to the 

 region east of the Alleghany mountains and the Great lakes 

 region, extending from North Carolina on the south to Labra- 

 dor on the north. The distribution of this trout has been won- 

 derfully extended by artificial introduction, as it has always 

 been a favorite with fish culturists. It is now to be found 

 thriving in many of the western states and territories, and is 

 particularly thrifty in Nebraska, Colorado, Nevada, and Cali- 

 fornia. It has also been sent to Mexico and to European coun- 

 tries. The average brook trout seldom exceeds 7 or 8 inches in 

 length, and smaller individuals are much more abundant and 

 require legal protection. In the northeastern part of its 

 habitat the brook trout grows much larger, specimens weighing, 

 from 3 to 6 pounds being not uncommon; and in one of the 

 Rangeley lakes an individual weighing 11 pounds is recorded; 

 while Seth Green took a 12 pound specimen in the Sault Ste 

 Marie, and Hallock mentions one which was said to weigh 17 

 pounds. 



