295 



POWAN. 



Coregonus Laeepedii, Yarreix; Br. Fishes, vol. ii, p'. 151. 



This is one of the three fishes which have passed under the 

 denomination of Fresh-water Herrings, from a supposed general 

 resemhlance to the well-known fish of the ocean; as the Pollan, 

 already described, and the Char of Lake Melvyn are the others. 

 By this name and that of Powan it appears to have been long 

 known as a distinct species to the people living near the lake 

 Lochlomond, in Scotland; but among men of science it appears 

 to have been first described by the French naturalist Lacepede; 

 whose name was attached to it by Dr. Parnell; from whose 

 observations we obtain the most particular account of what is 

 known of its habits. There does not exist any difficulty in 

 distinguishing this fish from others with which it may have 

 been confounded, as will appear from the description we are 

 able to supply; and which, together with the figure of it, have 

 been taken from an example, for the possession of which we 

 have the pleasure of acknowledging our obligation to the kindness 

 of Robert Embleton, Esq., of Chat Hill, in Northumberland; 

 to whom also I shall have great pleasure in offering a like 

 acknowledgment in reference to other kinds of the fresh-water 

 fishes of the remoter parts northward of the united kingdom. 



Dr. Parnell says, "These fish are found in Lochlomond in 

 great numbers. They are caught from the month of March 

 until September with large drag-nets, and occasional instances 

 have occurred in which a few have been taken with a small 

 artificial fly: a minnow or bait they have never been known 

 to touch. Early in the morning and late in the evening large 

 shoals of them are observed approaching the shore in search of 

 food, and rippling the surface of the water with their fins as 

 they proceed. In this respect they resemble in their habits 



