20 BRITISH SPORTING FISHES. 



spotted trout is, and also that it greatly varies in 

 colour. Trout have the power to take on 

 themselves the colour of the stream which they 

 haunt, and no fresh-water fish conforms more 

 admirably to its environment. This is one of the 

 most remarkable traits in the fish's economy. 

 Other local conditions greatly affect the species. 

 Those in lakes attain to a considerable size, and 

 their predatory instincts are greatly developed. 

 The fact of trout interbreeding with salmon has 

 been already mentioned, as has also the fact of the 

 fertility of the produce. Trout are subject to the 

 same devastating disease as salmon, and of late 

 years several of the best trout-streams in the 

 country have been almost depopulated by its 

 agency. 



