412 FISHES. 



regularly when in fresh water. It is generally accepted 

 as a constant species. 



The Peal, Sewin, or Bull-trout is also regarded by most 

 writers as a species, though not admitted by Smitt as 

 more than a variety. The last-named author- 

 ity admits, in fact, but two British species, a 

 salmon (S. salar, S. fario, &c.) and a char (S. salvelinus, 

 S. alpinus, &c.), and a mass of information and evidence 

 is to be found in his recent great work (' A History of 

 Scandinavian Fishes,' pp. 827-919). 



Of our Chars there are also half-a-dozen local races, 



varieties, all of them delicate fish of nocturnal habits, 



requiring still deep water, and not sufficiently 



hardy to bear much transplanting. The Char 



of Windermere never exceeds a length of 12 inches. In 



colour it is deep green above, the belly and ventral fins 



being red. The so-called Torgoch, S. colii, /S. killinensis, 



&c., are nowadays no longer seriously regarded as more 



than races or variations. 



Already mentioned incidentally in connection with the 

 atherine, the Smelt has the distinguishing adipose fin of the 

 t Smelt or tribe, and is of a light-green colour, silvery 

 Sparling, beneath, with a silver band on the sides. In 

 length it rarely exceeds 12 inches. Its characteristic smell 

 has been compared by different writers with that of 

 violets, cucumber, and other substances less fragrant. 

 Like the salmon, it ascends the tidal reaches of rivers 

 for spawning purposes. It appears to be absent from the 

 Irish coast. This fish has a large mouth armed with 

 sharp teeth, and its food consists of small fishes, insects, 

 and crustaceans. It spawns in spring and early summer, 

 having a preference for shedding its spawn in stormy 

 weather. 



