

HABITS OF THE COREGONT. 137 



But as the lake in question is almost immediately conti- 

 guous to, and connected with the Wenern, it seems pro- 

 hable that if distinct from the C. Albula it is likewise an 

 inhabitant of that lake. 



The fishermen in my vicinity, indeed, made mention of a 

 second species of the smaller Sik, which, from being remark- 

 ably high-shouldered, they called the Krok-back, or crooked- 

 back. It spawned, according to their account, about ten 

 days after the C. Albula, from which it was readily distin- 

 guished by its back being greener, and from the jaws being 

 nearly equal in length. 



It is very possible, therefore, that if the Salmo Wimba of 

 Linn, exists as a species, it may be identical with the fisher- 

 men's crooked-back, of which unfortunately it was out of 

 my power to procure specimens before leaving Sweden. 



The habits of the several species of Sik mentioned; of the 

 larger kinds at least, would appear to be much alike. They 

 keep for the most part to the deep, and only approach the 

 shore in spring and autumn : at the former season, when 

 following the smelt, or other fish to the spawning-ground for 

 the purpose of feeding on their roe ; at the latter, when 

 about to spawn themselves. The sik is a very active 

 fish. Faith says: "When the net has neared the strand, 

 and it finds itself within the toils, it often leaps far on 

 to the dry land." It is not tenacious of life, dying soon 

 after being taken out of the water. The least blow on the 

 head kills it. It is reputed to be a very cunning fish, so 

 much so, as to be wary and difficult of capture, except in the 

 spawning season. Hence the saying applied in parts of 

 Sweden to sly people; "listig som en sik;" that is, cunning 

 as a sik. One or more of the genus Coregonus is said not 



