72 BRITISH FRESHWATER FISHES 



afterwards must vary enormously according to 

 circumstances. 



Its sporting qualities, beautiful appearance, and 

 delicate flavour make the Trout the most desirable 

 of all our freshwater fishes, with the exception of 

 its close ally, the Salmon ; the latter has the 

 advantage in size, but this is balanced by the 

 numbers of the Trout, and its presence in all clear 

 waters, even in quite small brooks ; Salmon-fishing 

 is for the few, but Trout-fishing is within the reach 

 of most. 



The Rainbow Trout (Salmo irideus) of California, 

 which has been introduced with more or less success 

 into some of our lakes and rivers, is a species which 

 may usually be recognized by the spots which cover 

 the caudal fin ; the branched rays in the anal fin are 

 often more numerous than in our species (nine to 

 eleven instead of seven to ten), but the two forms 

 are very closely related. 



