CHAP. I.] FRESH-WATER HERRINGS. 29 



the consequence is, that the Wick herrings are not nearly so 

 rich in flavour as those taken in the sea-lochs of the west of 

 Scotland. In the same way I account for the rich flavour and 

 beautiful colour of the trout of Lochleven. This fish has been 

 acclimatised with more or less success in other waters, but 

 when transplanted it deteriorates in flavour, and gradually 

 loses its beautiful colour another proof that much depends 

 on the feeding-ground ; indeed, the fact of the trout having 

 deteriorated in quality as a consequence of the abridgment of 

 their feeding-range, is on this point quite conclusive. I feel 

 certain, however, that there must be more than one kind 

 of these Lochleven trouts ; there is, at any rate, one curious 

 fact in their life worth noting, and that is, that they are 

 often in prime condition for table use when other trouts are 

 spawning. 



The powan, another of the mysterious fish of Scotland, is 

 also considered to be a fresh-water herring, and thought to be 

 confined exclusively to Lochlomond, where they are taken in 

 great quantities. It is supposed by persons versed in the sub- 

 ject that it is possible to acclimatise sea fish in fresh water, 

 and that the vendace and powan, changed by the circum- 

 stances in which they have been placed, are, or were, un- 

 doubtedly herrings. The fish in Lochlomond also gather into 

 shoals, and on looking at a few of them one is irresistibly forced 

 to the conclusion, that in size and shape they are remarkably 

 like the common herring. The powan of Lochlomond and the 

 pollan of Lough Neagh are not the same fish, but both belong 

 to the Coregoni : the powan is long and slender, while the 

 pollan is an altogether stouter fish, although well shaped and 

 beautifully proportioned. 



I could analyse the natural history of many other fish, 

 but the result in all cases is nearly the same, and ends in a 

 repeated expression that what we require as regards all fish 

 is the date of their period of reproduction ; all other informa- 



