164 SALMON AND TROUT, 



The flesh of the great lake trout is generally orange yellow, 

 and that of the common trout pink or white, according to the 

 nature of the water and the condition of the fish. 



The disproportionate size of the head in the great lake trout 

 is very remarkable, it being little less than one-fourth of the 

 total length of the fish, tail fin included ; whilst in the common 

 trout it is not much more than one-fifth. The length of the 

 head in the great lake trout is also greater than the depth of 

 the body at the deepest part, whilst in the common trout it is 

 usually less, 



The tail fin in the great lake trout is nearly ' square' at the 

 end, and is considerably wider than the widest part of the body, 

 whereas in \\\efario it is very obviously narrower than the same 

 measurement. 



It may be further noticed as a mark of distinction between 

 the two species of Trout and their congeners, the Charrs, 

 inter se, that besides the orange and red colours of the latter, 

 Trout are recognisable by the characteristic of having two 

 complete rows of teeth on the vomer, or central bone in the 

 roof of the mouth, whilst in the Charrs the vomer has only a 

 few teeth, and those on the most forward part. The Grayling, 

 though belonging to the same family, is yet so totally different 

 in shape, colour, &c., that it is never likely to be mistaken for 

 any of the other species. 



By a little attention to the foregoing points the young fisher- 

 man will speedily acquire a knowledge of the proper names of 

 the several species of Salmomdce, and be able to recognise them 

 when he sees them on the river bank. 



As to the size attainable by the trout under favourable condi- 

 tions it is very difficult to speak with certainty, the more so as, 

 owing to the very general absence of ichthyological know- 

 ledge on the part of fishermen, they are very apt to confound 

 the yellow trout (Salmo fario) with the Great Lake trout (Sal/no 

 ferox), and, perhaps, not unfrequently also with one or other of 

 the migratory species which have got bronzed by remaining a 

 considerable time in fresh water. 



Amongst rivers producing exceptionally large trout the 



