SALMO MARSIGLII. 303 



and the lower part silvery. The skull is marked with a few round black 

 spots, which are larger but more angular on the cheeks and opercular bones. 

 The middle of the back has a few round dark spots, which become larger 

 towards the lateral line. They are both denser and larger than in the May 

 Trout, and towards the tail assume the X-form. Similar spots occur below 

 the lateral line, as far back as the vent, and are largest over the pectoral fins. 

 After death the sides become violet-grey, nearly reddish, and a carmine-red 

 shines through the black spots. The only perfectly black spots then remaining 

 are on the operculum. The greyish-white dorsal fin has a broad dark border, 

 and is marked with many rows of long black spots, between which, after death, 

 a few red ones appear. The caudal fin is violet, and has a broad black band near 

 the margin, succeeded by a narrow band of yellowish-white. The other fins 

 are unspotted, grey or whitish. The iris is silvery, spotted with black. 



This fish often attains a length of three feet and more. It is commonly 

 twenty-five to thirty pounds in weight, but has been caught of a weight of 

 fifty to sixty-five pounds. It loves deep water, and generally remains in a 

 depth of twenty to fifty fathoms. 



These Salmon Trout seek the haunts of species of Coregonus, which form 

 their chief food, but pursue all kinds of small fishes. When young they remain 

 near the feeding-grounds of species of Leuciscus. If they encounter a shoal 

 the pursuit is eager till the small fishes reach a shallow spot by the shores. 

 The shoal fly through the water swift as an arrow, and often seek to save them- 

 selves by springing into the air; but their enemies' movements are no less 

 rapid, and the miserable little Leuciscus, seized first at the tail, is given a 

 dexterous twist, which sends him down head first. 



When the Salmon Trout has attained a weight of twenty-five to thirty 

 pounds, it does not bother about the Leueiscus tribe and such small fry any 

 more, but devotes itself to hunting Coregonus, chiefly taking fishes of half a 

 pound to two pounds' weight. 



Spawning takes place in November and December, and is the occasion for 

 a grand gathering. Precocious young fishes of a pound weight come up to 

 spawn. They ascend from the lake into tributary streams and brooks, and bur- 

 row holes in the ground, which are oblong, and when constructed by fishes of 

 twenty pounds' weight, are sufficiently long and deep for a man to lie in. In 

 these excavations the yellow eggs, which are as large as small peas, are 

 deposited. The same furrows are used by other females spawning later, and 

 are said to be again frequented for spawning purposes in the following year. 



This fish is more tenacious of life than the May Trout, does not die so 

 quickly when taken out of water, and can be transported more easily. It will 

 thrive in ponds which are not less than eight to ten feet deep, if the bottom is 



