42 SEA TROUT. 



anal, properly speaking, has eleven rays, but the first is 

 so delicate and so lost in the fleshy part of the fin, that 

 it is hardly distinguishable. 



The coloring of these fish differs greatly from that of 

 the common trout, but it is universally conceded that 

 color is no test or distinction of species. When fresh 

 run from the sea, and when still inhabiting the salt 

 water, they are gloriously brilliant ; their backs a liquid 

 bluish green, the under part flashing like molten silver. 

 The spots and scarlet specks on their sparkling sides are 

 of a purer tone, and the lower fins more slender and 

 delicate. 



They are found in the bays of Prince Edward's Island, 

 in the harbors of New Brunswick, and in all the gulf 

 and river of St. Lawrence and its lower tributaries. In 

 Frank Forrester's " Fish and Fishing," a letter from Mr. 

 Perley, the British Commissioner of Fisheries, is quoted, 

 page 123, in which he says these fish do not ascend into 

 purely fresh water. In this I am reluctantly, out of 

 respect to his great experience as a fisherman and high 

 standing in scientific attainments, compelled to differ 

 from him. I have unquestionably taken these fish far 

 above tide water, and have the best authority for saying 

 that usually, if not invariably, the larger trout at least 

 ascend to the head-waters of the mountain streams to 

 spawn. I venture to say that no large sea trout are 

 taken in the tide water after the last, and rarely after 

 the first of August. It is probable that he has been 

 misled by the fact that there are trout in the same 

 streams that never descend to the sea, and there is a 

 marked difference in color between them and their 



