206 



PEAL. 



Cornish fishermen. "In this respect," says this learned natu- 

 ralist, "they more resemble the Coregoni, which are completely 

 gregarious, and also the Herring, to which I believe the 

 above-mentioned genus leads. The fish in the Solway very 

 seldom reach two pounds in weight upon their first arrival; 

 half a pound and three quarters is a common size; afterwards 

 the greater proportion average from one pound to a pound 

 and a half. One of the most marked appearances of this fish 

 is the great proportional breadth of the back, and the peculiar 

 greyish green of the upper parts. This colour appears very 

 conspicuous when seen before the water has completely ebbed 

 from the stake-nets, when the fish swim near the surface, and 

 when small Sea Trout are mixed with them the contrast is at 

 once perceived. The distribution of this fish in Scotland, as 

 far as it can be with certainty traced, is pretty extensive; the 

 south and west coasts, however, seem to possess the greatest 

 abundance. Commencing at the Solway we nieet it in great 

 abundance as far as the Dee at Kirkcudbright, from thence 

 we lose it at Loch Awe, at Loch Etian in Argyleshire, from 

 thence it is common along the whole of the west coast;" but 

 beyond this the Baronet appears uncertain of its existence. 



A usual length of the Peal is about fourteen inches; the 

 general proportions much like those of the Salmon, but the 

 head is stouter, and consequently the snout is not so slender; 

 the eyes also proportionally larger; the nostrils a little above 

 a line drawn from the eye to the snout, while those of the 

 Salmon are more directly on that line; the gape less wide; 

 sharp teeth in the jaws, mystache, round the palate and along 

 the vomer; in the latter a double row, alternate, and complete, 

 while in the Salmon of moderate age they are often whollv 

 or partly deficient. Teeth in the tongue strong and hooked, 

 but commonly not in opposite pairs. Lateral line straight, with 

 one hundred and twenty mucous pores. Dorsal fin well 

 developed, with twelve rays, anal longer than in the Salmon, 

 ten rays; tail a little waved, while a Salmon of the same size 

 has it forked; and even the White Trout of six inches has 

 this fin less forked than the Salmon of a foot. Pectoral fin 

 round. Gill-covers more oval than in the Salmon; their colour 

 pale yellow or bluish, with shot-like spots. Colour along the 

 head and back greyish blue, shining white below, with small 



