260 SALMON AND SEA TROUT FISHING. 



complications implied by interbreeding an extremely 

 fertile source of difficulty, producing, as it does, 

 endless changes in detail amongst the Salmonoids ; 

 and thirdly, the varieties dependent upon age and 

 sexual development. 



Salmon proper attain much greater weight and 

 dimensions than the sewin, sea, or white types, and 

 when in condition are also distinguished by outward 

 form and colour, in both of which we deem it un- 

 equalled by any other order, family, or species of fish. 

 The sea and bull trout the former shorter and 

 broader than salmon proper are distinctively marked 

 by a quantity of black spots, which, when the fish is 

 cooked, become more vivid. There is also a marked 

 absence of that beautiful fiery bronze natural to the 

 well-conditioned salmon ; and lastly, we may state 

 that, if not distinguishable from the genuine species 

 in its outward aspect, its inferior edible qualities 

 should render it easily discernible. In the north the 

 sea trout is equally abundant with the salmon, and 

 large quantities find their way to the southern towns, 

 where they are retailed by the fish dealers, whose 

 boisterous cry of " Salmon without any gammon ! " 

 is heard whenever a fresh instalment arrives. In 

 many cases these people have been unwittingly 

 " gammoned " themselves, their customers, neverthe- 

 less, being the ultimate dupes. From the fisherman's 

 point of view, the sea trout is equal to the finest grilse 

 that ever ascended Tay or Tweed, exceeding, as he 

 does, for gameness and pertinacity every other British 

 fish. The bull trout ascend their native rivers in April 



