118 SALMONIDj;. 



a season in wliicli ten or a dozen of these large fish, exceeding 

 ten pounds' weight, are not taken in the Thames. I do not think 

 that here, on an average, one four-pound fish is killed annually ; 

 and their rarity is abundantly proved by the fact that their 

 capture is always recorded. 



The Bashe's Kill, in Sullivan County, to which the Silver 

 Trout is assigned, is a pretty Trout stream, but in nowise 

 superior to a thousand others throughout the country ; and, 

 like all mountainous streams, is far more celebrated for the 

 number than for the size of its fish. 



In both respects, it is surpassed by many of the Pennsylvanian 

 streams of the same neighbourhood, falling into the Delaware 

 from the westward ; and in the size and excellence of its Trout, 

 it cannot sustain a moment's comparison with the fish of Long 

 Island streams on the south side. Its fish, it is needless to 

 add, are in nowise distinct. 



The Trout of Massachusetts are identical with the Common 

 Trout of New York; the figure at the head of this article 

 is from a specimen taken at Massachusetts. I have caught 

 Brook Trout myself from Maine to Pennsylvania, and can 

 safely pronounce on their identity. The Black Trout is merely 

 an accidental variety ; the colours, taste, and habits of which 

 are affected by the peaty waters, and stagnant flow of the lazy 

 streams in which it is found, and from which it obtains 

 a corresponding dinginess of hue, muddiness of flavour, and 

 laziness of character. 



With regard to the Sea Trout, as it is here called, I shall 

 quote a few paragraphs from the pages of " Smith's Fishes of 

 Massachusetts," although I cannot say that I esteem it a work 



