THE SALMO FEROX. 35 



mon, before the loch was partially drained and the 

 feeding grounds, in consequence, reduced in extent, to 

 take fish of the species described, eight or nine pounds 

 in weight. 



SALMO FEROX. According to Mr. Yarrell, this spe- 

 cies of the Salmonidce is met with in various lakes in 

 the Highlands of Scotland. It is well known to inhabit 

 Loch Awe in Argyleshire, but it is found also in Lochs 

 Laggan, Shin, Layghal, and Assynt. It has also been 

 captured occasionally in Loch Lubnaig, near Callander. 

 I very recently was shown, by Charles Ker, Esq., Edin- 

 burgh, the, skin of a trout of this species, taken by him 

 while trolling on the above-mentioned sheet of water. 

 This fish, when newly captured, weighed fifteen pounds 

 and a half. The ferox is identical with the great trout 

 or Buddagh of Lough Neagh, in Ireland, where the 

 small ones are termed Dolachan. I have been told, 

 upon good authority, that it exists in the chain of lakes, 

 including Lochs Rannoch and Lydoch, which extends 

 upwards, along the moor of Rannoch towards Kings- 

 house. Its discovery in Loch Awe has been attributed 

 to a Mr. Morrison from Glasgow, upwards of sixty years 

 ago ; but the ferox must have been known to the inha- 

 bitants of the district long before that period. It has 

 now, I understand, as far'as regards the loch in question, 

 become scarce; besides which, the individuals occa- 

 sionally captured are, in point of size, very inferior to 

 those taken twenty years since, few of them exceed- 

 ing ten or twelve pounds in weight, and the generality 

 not so heavy by one half. I have seen stuffed specimens 

 of the Salmo ferooc, which were said to be those of fish 

 which weighed, when newly caught, about twenty 

 pounds; but the late Mr. Maule, a persevering and suc- 

 cessful frequenter of Loch Awe, has taken them, I am 



