io 4 THE MAMMALS, REPTILES, AND FISHES OF ESSEX. 



land, who regarded it as a confirmation of his theory that the 

 East Coast rivers would carry Bull Trout, if not Salmon. In- 

 deed, he regarded them as specially fitted for occupation by 

 this smaller and migratory member of this important family. 

 The earlier published accounts of captures of Salmonidae are 

 very perplexing, since no two observers agree in their nomen- 

 clature, and one can never be quite sure which species is 

 recorded. This difficulty need no longer exist, for the clear 

 definitions laid down as the result of the masterly study of 

 Salmonidae by the late Dr. Day have simplified the matter for 

 all future students. Yarrell (British Fishes, vol. ii., p. 39) 

 notes the acquisition of one captured in the Thames, from the 

 Shad fishermen who fish above Putney Bridge. Mr. E. A. 

 Fitch records (Essex Nat., vol. iii., p. 35) the capture of a 

 specimen in the Blackwater, near Beeleigh. 



Salmo fario, Linn. BROWN TROUT OR BROOK TROUT. 



Common as this fish is all over Britain, it is rare in Essex ; 

 and, excepting in the Lea, it only occurs in our streams as 

 the result of artificial stocking. It was introduced in the 

 Roman River, a feeder of the Colne, about twenty-five years 

 a g> by the Rev. Mr. Marsh. In the Roding, it was in- 

 troduced about 1 88 1 by Mr. Rod well, of High Laver, he 

 having put into that river about 2,000 small Trout, which 

 still appear to be doing well (Essex Nat., vol. L, p. 149). 



They have been taken in the small river at Great Chester- 

 ford (Field, July 9th, 1870, p. 25), and at Dagenham (ib., June 

 1 6th, 1883). Numerous instances from the Lea are recorded, 

 especially from Waltham Abbey and Sewardstone. 



Mr. Miller Christy records ( Trans. Essex Field Club, vol. 

 i., p. 70) the capture of a specimen in the river Cann, at 

 Chignal. This was diseased ; but, generally speaking, it may 

 be said that whenever the Brook Trout has been introduced 

 it has flourished fairly well 



