130 



unable to decide, — perhaps a good deal maybe due to both 

 influences. It is noteworthy, however, that already in 

 New Zealand and Tasmania the allied species S. fario^ 

 var. Ausoniij has developed into types which are peculiarly 

 characteristic of particular local streams. This variability 

 in relation to environment is very suggestive, and may yet 

 help to explain the trifling variable difl'erencee in character, 

 often overlapping, between S. Cambricusy S. gallivensis^ 

 S. brachypoma^ and S. trutta of Scotch, EngHsh, and 

 Irish streams. 



I have already pointed out (Mercury^ Hobart, Nov. 25, 

 1879,) that characters which may be greatly aflected by 

 environment are not to be depended upon, and, in the 

 opinion of some authorities in other branches of natural 

 history, such differences would not be recognised as of 

 specific or even sub-specific rank. The assumption of 

 hybridism is to me extremely unsatisfactory, for the reason 

 that the extreme types steadily perpetuate themselves in 

 European waters notwithstanding the extraordinary facili- 

 ties among fishes for intercrossing by natural means which 

 probably have existed unrestricted for ages. 



115. Salmo FARio,iJar. Ausonii, L. (1.) English Br own Trout,'^* 



D. 13-14. A. 10-11. P. 13. V. 9. L. lat. 120. L.tr.- 

 26 : 30. C«c. pylor. 38 - 51. Vert. 57 - 58. 



Giinth. Cat., VI., p. 64. Allp. Rep. Pro. Roy. Soc. Tas., 1866. 



Ova introduced successfully, together with the former species, 

 per the Lincolnshire^ in the year 1866. 



The species now abound in all the principal rivers of 

 Tasmania, and sometimes reach the enormous weight of 

 28 lbs., and a length of three feet. The new conditions in 

 our rivers appear to have greatly modified their general 

 form and character. The following Hmits of variability 

 show that the old limits of characters are not of much 

 value here :— B. 9 - 12. D. 13 - 14. A. 10 - 11. P. 13 - 16. 

 V. 9. L, lat. 120. Pylor. caec. 41 - 72. Maxillary strong 

 and, relative to snout, generally much longer ; hind part 

 of body generally short and high j vomerine teeth in 

 specimens 3 to 5 lbs. weight generally disappearing ; 

 caudal fin generally emarginate, not truncate. Colour 

 varying with the nature of the bottom and the country 

 through which the stream passes. They are generally 

 coarse and dark where the streams are choked with 

 heavy dead timber, as in some places in the River Meander ; 

 silvery in gravelly bottoms and open country, as at 

 Simmons' Plains; and especially so those which have 

 formed the habit of entering the brackish water about 

 the wharves in Launceston. 



Fam. XXXII. GALAXID^. 



116. Galaxias truttaceus, Cuv. & Val. (T.) Spotted Trout ** 



B. 9. D. 11. A. 14-15. V. 7. P. 14. 

 Gihith. Cat., VI., p. 209. Allp. MS. Macl. Cat., 841. 

 Abundant in most of om' freshwater streams, but not descend- 

 ing to brackish water like G, attenuatua. 



