NORWAY SALMON. 231 



in the present day, is not resorted to by sea-trout of 

 any magnitude, while its fresh-water breed lays claim 

 to no manner of superiority. The eriox or bull-trout 

 proper is not, however, a stranger in the Solway Firth. 

 It ascends Annan, where it is called a round-tail by the 

 fishermen. Mr. Yarrell mentions that it is to this species, 

 "that the names of Norway trout and Norway salmon 

 are believed to refer, as used occasionally in Tweed and 

 some of the northern parts of Scotland." I recollect 

 recognising the bull-trout, a few years ago, in Edin- 

 burgh, as forming the bulky part of an importation of 

 what were termed kippered Norwegian salmon. 



As some have conjectured the bull-trout to be a 

 hybrid or breed betwixt the salmon and common river- 

 trout, (a supposition which the fact of its possessing 

 the generative power in all its completeness sufficiently 

 disposes of) I may mention that it is, comparatively 

 speaking, a recent invader of our Border river. The 

 old fishermen affirm that, thirty years ago it was looked 

 upon as a rare fish; this being the case, at a period 

 when both salmon and river-trout were fully as abund- 

 ant as at present, it requires no further proof, in order 

 to set aside the conjecture, as far-fetched and irrational. 



