388 THE MOUNTAIN. 



grow in spaces that would not conceal the body of the full- 

 grown trout. Off the mountain, where the springs form 

 creeks and rivers, the trout attains frequently a very large size, 

 even the fullest dimensions attributed to him by the na- 

 turalist. These large individuals are supposed to be ex- 

 tremely old. It has been suggested that there is a smaller 

 form of the adult brook-trout adapted to the smaller streams 

 which they inhabit, and that he is susceptible of still greater 

 development under conditions more favorable to an enlarge- 

 ment of his body. In the clear, bright spring-runs of the 

 mountain, the trout is generally thought to attain his 

 greatest perfection of coloring, sporting his handsome 

 figures and brilliant tints in perfection. Although he is 

 spawned, lives, and dies in the mountain streamlet, it is 

 maintained that he still retains his migratory instinct, and 

 has a tendency to return to the sea, and that individuals do 

 succeed in returning again through the larger rivers to the 

 main, where, under the new conditions of the new medium, he 

 develops new and altered attributes, to the perplexity and 

 confusion of the fish-fancier, and even of the scientific ob- 

 server. The flesh of this exquisite fish is considered one 

 of the greatest luxuries of the gourmand. 



Another member of the family of salmons is said to be 

 found in the larger streams which flow from both sides of 

 the Appalachian chain. This is commonly called the white 

 salmon, and is a plain fish with a graceful form, but with- 

 out brilliant coloring, and the clear prominent characters of 

 the salmon. It is found in both branches of the Susquehanna 

 and Juniata rivers in the East, and the Alleghany, Cone- 

 maugh, and Youghiogheny rivers in the West. The flesh 

 of this fish is much esteemed. 



Family ANQUILLID^. 



ANQUILLA vulgaris, (Mitch.) Common eel. The eel is 

 found in the streams both sides of the mountain, but not 

 abundantly, high up. The Western waters are especially 

 destitute of this fish, although it is said to be common, and 



