CHAPTER XXIX. 



THE LOCH LEVEN TROUT. 



IT might have been supposed, from a cursory view of the salmonidce 

 family, that this trout is but a variation of the common fario, born 

 and bred under different circumstances of habitat, and thus acquiring 

 different characteristics, albeit of not sufficient importance to warrant it 

 in occupying a distinct cognomenation. The idea has been negatived by 

 Dr. Parnell, Dr. Corsell, and Sir John Eichardson, their conclusions 

 being based on irrefragible evidences, not the least amongst which is 

 the fact that there is a considerable difference in the number of the caeca, 

 or appendages at the beginning of the bowels, between this fish and the 

 common trout. In 8. fario there are forty-six, in this fish as many as 

 from sixty to eighty, hence its specific name, Salmo ccecifer, a caeca bearer. 

 There are other important differences between this and the other trouts. 

 For example, the Loch Leven trout has never any crimson spots on the 

 body, whilst the common trout is never without them, and the flesh of 

 the fish is a deep red. That of the 8. fario is either pink or white, and 

 that of the 8. ferox is orange yellow. The Loch Leven trout takes its 

 name, as may be remembered, from the now ruined lake and dismantled 

 castle wherein the unfortunate Mary Stuart was imprisoned. Of late 

 years the quality of the fish has deteriorated, owing to some cause or 

 other, and their number greatly reduced. 



The following detailed description is from that of Dr. Powell, of a fish 

 one foot in length : " Head a little more than one-fifth of the whole length, 

 tail fin included. Depth of body at deepest part about equal to length 

 of head. Gill cover produced behind, lower margin of operculum oblique, 

 praeoperculum rounded. Commencement of back from half-way between 

 point of upper jaw and a point a little beyond the fleshy portion of 

 the tail. End of back fin even, sometimes concave. Pectoral fins 

 pointed when expanded, in common trout rounded. Tail fin long, rather 



