262 THE ERIOX. 



the two are compared together, although many who see 

 them exhibited in our fishmongers' shops do not know 

 the difference. In general shape, the eriox is longer and 

 thinner in the body than the salmon, and the head is 

 larger, and the teeth much stronger and more formidable, 

 in proportion to the size of the fish, while its whole as- 

 pect bears a greater resemblance to a huge overgrown 

 common trout. The gill-covers of the eriox are rounder 

 and less pointed in their posterior margins than those of 

 the salmon, and the back and sides, above the medial 

 line, are of a dusky grayish olive, marked with large 

 irregular-formed black blotches, while those of the salmon 

 are of a deep azure blue colour, and the black spots on 

 the sides are more regular in shape and distinctly defined, 

 and of a radiated or star-like form. The caudal fin of 

 the eriox in the adult state is convex or round in the 

 posterior margin, the central ray being the longest ; 

 while that of the salmon is concave or lune-shaped, or 

 decidedly forked at every age, the central ray being the 

 shortest. The pectoral fins of the eriox are of a dirty 

 white colour, while those of the salmon are of a dark 

 olive brown or blackish hue. The flesh of the former is 

 rather of a yellowish cast, while that of the latter is of a 

 fine rose pink, and, as a culinary article, very much su- 

 perior in delicacy and richness of flavour ; although the 

 eriox is a very excellent fish when in condition, and fully 

 entitled to take second rank at the board to his more 

 patrician brother. 



The eriox generally runs from five to fourteen or six- 

 teen pounds in weight, although a fish of eighteen pounds 



