COMMON TROUT. 237 



fishermen on the Laxford term this variety the Loch Trout, and 

 distinguish it from "the commonly marked Trout of the river," 

 and also that the osteology of the head of the larger specimens 

 differs from the other Trout of that river, we might suppose 

 it a distinct species. 



In the male Trout we always find the head in front of the 

 eyes more lengthened out than in the female, and in full-grown 

 fish of both sexes the tail is often nearly straight. In some 

 rivers also the head is remarkably round and blunt, but we 

 have usually supposed the species to be the same when within a 

 limited range; in other particulars the adipose fin is bordered 

 with red, and the only example of a doubtful kind within our 

 knowledge was in the large examples from the pools in 

 Luxulian already mentioned. But how great a change may be 

 caused by circumstances appears from the Trout of the Loe 

 Pool, near Helstone, in Cornwall. This fish is mentioned by 

 the local historian Dr. Borlase, and had long been celebrated 

 for its size, beauty, and excellency. Perhaps its size has been 

 exaggerated, but I have been favoured by John P. Rogers, 

 Esq., M.P., the proprietor of this lake, with the sketch of an 

 example, a drawing of which was taken on account of its size 

 and appearance when caught in fishing with a fly, in the year 

 1774; and which measured along the curve of the body twenty- 

 eight inches in length, and sixteen inches in girth, with the 

 weight of eight pounds and three ounces. I possess also a 

 coloured drawing of an example of much less size, but taken 

 several years since, when the fish was in its principal excellency; 

 and from these evidences I find that the form was that which 

 is most admired in the Trout, with the head small, the back 

 elevated, and the whole appearance plump. The colour a rich 

 pink on the sides, deeper on the back; the flesh like that of 

 the Salmon, and for the table in the highest esteem, as may 

 be concluded from the fact that so long ago as the time of 

 the Saxon King Athclstan it was deemed worthy of royal notice, 

 so that land was held by the tenure of keeping a boat on this 

 lake for the royal amusement. And this reputation of the 

 Loepool Trout continued until within a few years, when a change 

 passed over it, and the water and filth from a tin mine was 

 permitted to flow into it; first with the effect of diminishing 

 the proper food of the fish, and then reducing it to the 



