26 THE FRESH-WATER TROUT. 



undergo a considerable change in their external appear- 

 ance. The spawning fish loses much of the lively 

 colouring natural to it when in good condition. It 

 becomes black, soft, and slimy to the touch, and big in 

 the paunch, whereas the milter frequently gains in 

 colour, acquiring a golden tint, by no means offensive to 

 the eye. In shape also, it differs largely from the female. 

 The body becomes deep, like that of the perch, and 

 although slimy to the touch, is neither soft nor flabby. 

 The skin, however, is thick and tough, exhaling a rank, 

 disagreeable flavour. Its head also undergoes a sin- 

 gular transformation. The bones composing it seem 

 to have grown in size and altered in form. The lower 

 jaw especially, acquires a curved or beaked shape, and 

 both the snout and it project more fully than usual. 

 When kelted or free of their spawn and milt, these 

 appearances and alterations in both sexes gradually 

 wear off. They become externally more assimilated 

 the one to the other; but it is not until insect food 

 becomes plentiful, and the spring months are nearly at 

 a close, that they regain fully their brilliant colouring, 

 and recover that firmness and condition which enable 

 them to prove active under control of the rod, and 

 show sport to the angler. 



In spawning, fresh-water trout, both lake and river 

 varieties, have recourse to shallow streams and feeders. 

 They are incapable of breeding in still, deep water, and 

 require to enter a run or current, before they can effect 

 the shedding of their deposit. Pond trout, debarred 

 from this advantage, will, it is well-known, continue 

 unproductive. It is the natural instinct of the trout, 

 as it advances in pregnancy, to leave its usual haunt 

 and push upward. Frequently, it does this in a marked 

 and determined manner, but not always. Loch trout, 





