12 THE FRESH-WATER TROUT. 



transitions in point of hue, undergone by them during 

 a flood, and while it continues to abate their shape, 

 growth, and edible characteristics, have all cursorily 

 been brought under view. 



Of the food and habits of the trout, however, I have 

 said comparatively little ; nor have I called direct atten- 

 tion, while treating of their varieties, to what may be 

 termed the cross breeds, in contra-distinction to the true 

 or original breed, peculiar to each stream or lake. This 

 last-mentioned subject I shall dismiss with a very few 

 observations; and, first of all, I may notice, that the 

 cross breeds to which I refer are simply those which 

 have their origin in varieties of the common trout 

 (fario,} brought into contact with each other at the 

 breeding season, and do not implicate the questionable 

 produce, or mule breed, arising from any hap-hazard 

 connection betwixt the fario and bull-trout, or whitling ; 

 a connection altogether discountenanced by nature, and 

 which (if my notions respecting the breeding of fishes 

 be correct) is not likely to take place. I may also 

 remark, that, although cross varieties may, for a season 

 or term of seasons, rival in number the true breed 

 belonging to this or that stream, and threaten to ex- 

 tirpate it altogether, yet there is no fear or likelihood of 

 such a result ; the peculiar nature and qualities of the 

 water, aided by the remaining original stock, always 

 tending to reinstate the breed. 



Thus, for instance, it has happened in the case of the 

 upper part of Eden, above Stichel Linn ; where, owing 

 to the accidental escape of considerable quantities of 

 another variety of trout from inclosed water at Meller- 

 stain, the stream itself became the haunt, and continued 

 so for three or four successive years, of a cross breed, 

 which vied in numbers with the proper stock, and 



