TROUT. 523 



Only several rather large, distant, roundish, or somewhat lunated 

 spots of a dark colour. Exclusive of these differences, the male 

 is of a somewhat longer or more tender shape than the female : 

 the scales in the salmon are middle-sized, and not very strongly 

 adherent. 



In the intestinal canal of the salmon is often found a species of 

 taenia or tape-worm, of about three feet in length. Dr. Bloch 

 informs us, that in a salmon which had been three weeks dead, he 

 found one of these worms still living. 



[Block. Pennant, Shavt. 



SECTION XIT. 



Trout. 

 Salmo fario. Linn. 



The trout is an inhabitant of clear and cold streams and lakes, 

 in most parts of Europe, and admits of considerable variety as to 

 the tinge both of its ground-colour and spots. Its general length 

 is from twelve to fifteen or sixteen inches, and its colour yellowish- 

 grey, darker or browner on the back, and marked on the sides by 

 several rather distant, round, bright, red spots, each surrounded 

 by a tinge of pale blue-grey. Sometimes the ground-colour of the 

 body is a purplish grey ; the red spots much larger, more or less 

 mixed with black ; and the belly of a white or silvery cast : the 

 fins are of a pale purplish brown ; the dorsal fin marked with 

 several darker spots : the head is rather large, the scales small, 

 and the lateral line straight. The female fish is of a brighter and 

 more beautiful appearance than the male. 



It is a matter of surprise that this common fish has escaped the 

 notice of all the ancients, except Ausonius : it is also singular, 

 that so delicate a species should be neglected, at a time when the 

 folly of the table was at its height; and that the epicures should 

 overlook a fish that is found in such quantities in the lakes of their 

 neighbourhood, when they ransacked the universe for dainties. 

 The milts of murcena were brought from one place j the livers of 



