FISHES OF THE DISTRICT 175 



and Crummock, and in some of the tributaries 

 of the Eden. At Crummock a fish of this 

 variety was taken by Isaac Tyson with the net 

 weighing I4lbs. This variety is found in several 

 rivers common to salmon and sea-trout, and its 

 varietal distinctions vary greatly with local condi- 

 tions. Round-tail is one of its provincial names, 

 and so much does the bull-trout resemble the true 

 salmon in appearance, that, after the tail has been 

 clipped square, it is sold as such. This resem- 

 blance between the two extends to haunt and habit, 

 food, spawning and migration. The bull-trout 

 attains to a considerable weight, and, according to 

 its condition the flesh is pink or yellowish white. 

 As a game fish it affords capital sport, and fights as 

 vigorously as the salmon or brown trout. Of the 

 bull-trout the late Dr. Heysham writes as follows : 

 " This species has, I believe, never been described 

 by authors, having been considered by them as a 

 variety of sea-trout. All the fishermen in this 

 country, however, consider it as a distinct species, 

 and can distinguish it from the former at the first 

 glance. The head is thicker than the head of the 

 sea-trout, and it is also deeper at the shoulders. 

 The scales upon the back are smaller and not so 

 numerous. The tail fin is shorter, and can scarcely 

 be said to be forked. The dead or bastard fin is 

 placed nearer the tail, and further from the dorsal 

 fin than in the sea-trout. They vary in weight from 

 2 to 10 and even 20 Ibs ; but, in general, seldom ex- 

 more nor less than bull-trout. A rough and ready method, 

 but a very accurate one, to tell a salmon from a bull-trout is 

 to look at the roof of its mouth. Along the middle of the 

 roof there is a row of teeth (vomers) in the bull-trout 

 whereas an adult salmon has but two, or at most, three. 5 ' 



