SALMONID^:. 95 



soms of the large rivers of England, and large lakes of Ireland, than 

 fish of four pounds are here. There probably rarely passes a season 

 in which ten or a dozen of these large fish, exceeding ten pounds' 

 weight, are not taken in the Thames. I do not think that here, on an 



O t ' 



average, one four-pound fish is killed annually ; and their rarity is 

 abundantly proved by the fact that their capture is always recorded. 



The Bashe's Kill, in Sullivan county, to which the Silver Trout is 

 assigned, is a pretty Trout stream, but in no wise superior to a thou- 

 sand others throughout the country ; and, like all mountainous streams, 

 is far more celebrated for the number, than for the size of its fish. 



In both respscts, it is surpassed by many of the Pennsylvanian 

 streams of the same neighborhood, falling into the Delaware from the 

 westward ; and in the size and excellence of its Trout, it cannot sus- 

 tain a moment's comparison with the fish of the Long Island streams 

 on the south side. Its fish, it is needless to add, are in no wise dis- 

 tinct. 



The Trout of Massachusetts are identical with the common Trout 

 of New York ; the figure at the head of this article is from a specimen 

 taken in Massachusetts. I have caught Brook Trout myself from 

 Maine to Pennsylvania, and can safely pronounce on their identity. 

 The Black Trout is merely an accidental variety ; the colors, taste, 

 and habits of which are affectad by the peaty waters, and stagnant flow 

 of ths lazy streams in which it is fo-und, and from which it obtains a 

 corresponding dinginess of hue, muddiness of flavor, and laziness of 

 character. 



With regard to the Sea Trout, as it is here called, I shall quote a 

 few paragraphs from the pages of " Smith's Fishes of Massachu- 

 setts, " although I cannot say that I esteem it a work on which 

 much reliance can bo placed, as the author appears, from some of his 

 statements, to be a writer of more rashness than discrimination, and 

 more ready than qualified to give his opinion decidedly, and without 

 appeal. 



These qualities are rendored sufficiently apparent by his indulging in 

 a violent tirade against Dr. Mitchil, of New York, whom he accuses 

 of vanity and presumption, in affixing his own name to the Striped 

 Bass, which he, Smith, asserts to be " a common table fish, known from 

 lime immemorial all over E'.-ropc." 



