t'HAi'T. xi. Rival Claimants to Trout&hip. 155 



tin' less hesitation in confirming the honorific as there are uo 

 indigenous trout in India. 



The plate is taken by permission from Dr. Day's " Fishes of 

 •■ India," the mouth only being a little opened to show the 

 peculiarly beaked and prominent under jaw. 



"The Barilius bala (vernac Gulabi Machli rose-speckled fish) 

 " by Anglo-Indians commonly misnamed Trout," writes Colonel 

 Parsons, "is found in many rivers of India, its chief habitat being 

 " clear streams with stofty bed, 



" Though not of the Trout genus, it bears some resemblance in 

 " outline to the European Trout, but is of more delicate formation, 

 " and the more brilliant looking fish of the two. Like the Trout, 

 "it is very beautifully spotted." 



"The weight of the Barilius bola of different rivers varies 

 " greatly, the average weight of mature fish in streams where it 

 " best thrives is probably about $ lb., and maximum about 2 lbs. 

 " This may be an estimate under the mark, as the writer merely 

 " notes from his personal experience as a fisherman, as far as it 

 " extends, during periods of fishing recreation that were chiefly 

 " devoted to the capture of Mahseer, and he has never known the 

 Barilius bola to he brought to market by natives of the country, 

 " whereby the quantities coming under observation would afford 

 " ilata for satisfactorily deciding on the dimensions of this species 

 "of fish. 



" The Bdriiius bola is taken with the fly, and likewise with 

 ill spinning bait ; a small sized phantom is a very good bait to 

 " use. They are usually shy, and take the fly best at the close of 

 "day, when a white moth (lake trout fly size) is perhaps the 

 " most suitable lure, the addition of white bead eyes to the fly 1 

 " have known to be an improvement. Anglers fishing for Mahseer, 

 " with a good sized spinning bait, occasionally hook a good 

 " specimen of the Barilius bola, notably in the '.Sone' or 'Sonu. a 

 " beautiful stream which joins the Ganges, a few miles above 

 II irdwar, on its right bank, and wluch is a grand place for 

 ' Mahseer fishing. 



"The Barilius bola runs large in both the Ganges and the 



" Jumna in the Doon ; I have got them close on 2 lbs at Dadapur, 



" the head of the Western Jumna Canal, a few miles from Jagadri 



on the S. p. and Delhi Railway. This fish is. however, difficult to 



