104 BRITISH FRESHWATER FISHES 



forms these sexual differences are very marked. 

 In the Lough Melvin Char, however, it is almost 

 impossible to distinguish the sexes from external 

 characters, as was recognized so long ago as 1841 

 by Thompson, from whose account of this species 

 we extract the following : 



" To the kind attention of Viscount Cole I am 

 indebted for twelve char from Lough Melvin, sent 

 immediately after capture. In the accompanying 

 note, dated November 15, his lordship remarked, 

 * I can procure you any number you wish, as the 

 people are now taking them in cartloads ; the flesh 

 of such as I send is white and soft, and different 

 from what that of char is in any other lough.' 



" These specimens, which are in a fresh state and 

 excellent condition for examination, are all from 10 

 to 1 2 inches in length, and differ greatly from those 

 of Loch Grannoch in presenting little or no beauty 

 of appearance. The upper half of the body, in both 

 sexes, is of a dull blackish lead colour, unrelieved 

 by spotting in any but three or four individuals, 

 which exhibit a considerable number of minute spots 

 which are merely of a paler shade than the surround- 

 ing parts, and consequently inconspicuous ; for more 

 than half the space between the lateral line and 

 ventral profile they are of a dull lead colour, without 

 any spots except in the individuals just noticed ; 

 the lower portion of the sides varies in individuals 

 from a pale to a rich salmon colour, which latter is 

 seen in only one or two examples. The dorsal fins 

 are of a uniform grey and transparent; in some, 

 when closely examined, there appear roundish spots 

 of a paler colour; pectorals dusky grey, darker 

 towards the tips, except at the lower portion, which, 



