92 ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT FISHERIES 



work in this case also ; but as the three species of 

 fish live and spawn under greatly different con- 

 ditions this is hardly likely. 



The late G. F. Braithwaite notices that the 

 gwyniad was fast dying out in Ullswater, at the 

 same time recording the fact that the late Richard 

 Mounsey (well known on Ullswater) once saw two 

 cartloads taken out at a draught. I have recorded 

 a somewhat parallel take in Haweswater where, 

 however, the number of skellies seems to be as 

 great as it has ever been. 



Whether the great lake trout (Salmo ferox) is 

 a true species or merely a variety of the common 

 trout (Salmo fario) is a question that is discussed 

 elsewhere in this volume ; but that it has always 

 been looked upon as a species in the districts 

 where it occurs is certain ; and it is inseparably 

 associated with Ullswater, being frequently called 

 the Ullswater trout, as in the following paragraph : 

 "This species is, I believe, found nowhere in 

 Cumberland, except in the lake from whence it 

 takes its name. Some specimens of this trout are 

 said to weigh between 50 and 60 Ibs." And 

 again : " It is here [i.e. Ullswater] called Grey 

 trout, and is sometimes, though but rarely, taken 

 in season ; one in good condition was killed 36 Ibs. 

 weight ; and Mr. Clarke says they sometimes weigh 

 upwards of 50 Ibs. We conjecture that this is the 

 fish called in the lakes of Derwent, Bassenthwaite, 

 &c., Hard Head" 1 The late Richard Mounsey, 



1 " SIR, .... Whilst I am now writing, a Westmor- 

 land acquaintance of mine coming to see me, in Discourse 

 did accidentally mind me of the Surprize I was in, some years 

 since, at Lowther Hall in Cumberland, the house of Sir 

 John Lowther, seeing at Sir John's table a freshwater trout, 



