HABITS OF THE MASAMACUSH. 165 



Trout of the American lakes, or of the British Charr, to do so, 

 it may, I think, be presumed that the Masamacush, where he 

 exists in lakes, is to be taken by trolling in deep water with a 

 small Trout or other fish upon a heavily-weighted hook, with 

 spinning tackle. 



It is not distinctly stated, and probably is not ascertained, 

 whether this is an anadromous or non-migratory fish. The 

 Charrs, for the most part, are found only in the deepest parts 

 of the lakes which they inhabit, and rarely enter the streams 

 which feed or drain these but for the purpose of spawning, 

 when they seek out the clearest and swiftest rivers running on 

 gravel bottoms. 



The fact, however, that the Masamacush is taken in the 

 Mingan E-iver, a powerful body of water having direct com- 

 munication with the sea, would go far to prove that he is an 

 anadromous fish there, at least, visiting the sea, and returning 

 to spawn ; although it is very probable that like many of this 

 family, and like his own congener, the Angmalook, he can exist 

 indifi'erently in fresh or salt water. 



I doubt not that in the Mingan and similar rivers, he could 

 be taken with the same Irish lake-flies, or the red ibis fly, which 

 is so mortal to the Salmon Trout. 



Like all the Charrs, he is red-fleshed, and of delicious flavour. 

 And from these facts, were it not that the Masamacush is said 

 not to exceed eight pounds in weight, I should be vastly inclined 

 to suspect his identity with the red-fleshed and brightly-coloured 

 lake-fish, which is occasionally taken in the Hamilton County 

 waters, as mentioned by Dr. Bethune in his beautiful edition of 

 Walton's Angler, at page 138, in a note; and as described to 



