267 



GRAY'S CHAR. 



Salmo Qrayi, Gunther; Journal of Zoological Society, 1862, 



p. 15, pi. 7; where it is called the Fresh 

 Water Herring of Lough Melvin, but to be 

 distinguished from the Pollan, which is also, 

 and more appropriately named Fresh Water 

 Herring. This Char is among the species 

 referred to by Mr. W. Thompson, vol. iv, p. 160. 



Much obscurity hangs over this species, as also on the two 

 others which are to follow, so far as regards their distinctive 

 habits. And this is so much more the case in regard to Gray's 

 Char, as there is another which inhabits the same Lake Melvin, 

 with which it is likely to be confounded. In order, therefore, 

 that we may not add to the uncertainty which still exists, by 

 describing the habits of one, which might more properly belong 

 to the other, it is thought best to limit our notice of this and 

 the others as enumerated by Dr. Gunther, to a simple description 

 of each, with a corresponding figure so far as the latter are 

 within our reach. After which we shall give a list of the 

 situations in the United Kingdom in which the several kinds of 

 Chars have been found; but without pledging ourselves to the 

 fact that the individual species are to be referred generally, 

 with one or two exceptions, to the particular lakes we have 

 mentioned. We will only add here, as bearing on the question 

 of the distinguishing these species of Chars from one another, 

 a remark of Dr. Gunther, that although the colours in each are 

 liable to some degree of variation, yet by the colours alone 

 when the examples are fresh, the S. salvelinus, S. umbla, S. 

 Grayii, and S. Willoughbii, may be always distinguished from 

 each other. 



Head and body compressed, slightly elevated, the greatest 

 depth being below the origin of the dorsal fin; upper profile 



