SAMLET. CHAR. SMELT. 28? 



This fish seldom exceeds four pounds in weight, and in 

 general is much smaller. Though it is universally dif- 

 fused, and its flesh so extremely delicate, it is not men- 

 tioned by any of the ancients, except Ausomus. There 

 is a species called the white trout, found in the river Esk 

 and some other streams, the flesh of which, when dressed, 

 becomes red, and is more valued than that of the common 

 kind. 



THE SAMLET. 



This is the least of the trout kind, and by some has been 

 imagined to be the fry of the salmon. It is found in the 

 Wye, the Severn, and several rivers in the north of Eng- 

 land and Wales, as well as Scotland, where it is called the 

 par. It has a great resemblance to the trout, but differs 

 from it in several specific characters. 



THE CHAR. 



The body of the char is larger and more slender than 

 that of the trout; the back is olive, spotted with white ; 

 the belly is generally red ; the scales are very small ; and 

 the lateral lines are straight. This fish inhabits the lakes 

 of the north, as well as those of the most mountainous 

 parts of Europe. It shows a strong predilection for clear 

 and pure waters; and is seldom known to deviate into 

 running streams, unless their bottom is similar to that of 

 its native lakes. It is found in Winander-mere, and some 

 other lakes of Westmoreland and Cumberland and Wales, 

 as well as in the lochs of Scotland. Mention has been 

 made by naturalists of the case char, the red char, the 

 silver or gilt char, and the gelt char ; but, on a close ex- 

 amination of each variety, it seems impossible to esta- 

 blish any real specific difference between these. 



THE SMELT. 



This fish inhabits the seas of the northern parts of 

 Europe, and has even been caught so far south as the Me- 

 diterranean. The smelt varies greatly in size, but the 



