542 BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



This trout is, or was once, everywhere common in Maine, and the Rangeley Lakes 

 were not the least renowned for this superb fish. It is closely related to the blueback 

 and other chars of which mention has been made but having quite distinct coloration, 

 and it is generally less slender in form than the others. Among themselves, however, 

 the trout differ greatly in shape and color, not only those from different waters but often 

 those of the same body of water or different localities in the same lake or stream. Mod- 

 ifications of both form and color appear in the breeding season. In the Rangeley Lakes 

 region differences of form as well as of color have been noted, giving rise to the sus- 

 picion that they might be distinct species, if not actually regarded as such. 



J. G. Rich, of Bethel, Me., to whom reference has already been made, a man of many 

 years' acquaintance with the trout of Rangley Lake, contributed an article entitled 

 "The trout of Maine waters" to the American Angler, April 14, 1883. Mr. Rich was 

 inclined to believe that more than one species of trout, besides the blueback, existed in 

 the Rangeley Lakes. In the way of illustration he described several contrastive forms. 

 One locally called the cedar tree trout, receiving its name from Cedar Tree Point, 

 near which it spawned, was thought to differ more pronouncedly from the other trout 

 than the landlocked salmon did from the Penobscot salmon. However, he stated 

 that he sent one to Prof. Agassiz, who pronounced it "nothing else than simon pure 

 Salmo jontinalis." 



The cedar tree trout was stated to be thin, flat, and short, with very highly colored 

 sides. Contrasted vnth it was a long, round, light-colored, almost silvery trout, with 

 white flesh, occurring in deep waters. Another of similar appearance, weighing about 

 three-fourths of a pound and having yellow flesh, was said to congregate at the mouths of 

 certain brooks during the last of August and first of September. Still another, but very 

 plump and with red flesh, occurred at some other places. In the spawning season, Octo- 

 ber and November, even as far up as the small headwaters of " Beama" Stream, Metallak 

 Brook, and the inlet of Richardson Ponds, there was said to be still another highly 

 colored variety, which ran in weight from about 3 ounces to a pound and in appearance 

 was the most beautiful of all, but no better, if as good, for the table. Among these, 

 he said, were found both red and white meated fish. He went on to say that in many 

 years of winter fishing very few of this kind of trout were caught in the lakes and ponds 

 and were seldom taken except on the spawning grounds. He concluded, therefore, 

 that they did not mix with the other kinds but probably resorted to some special location. 



Continued residence of trout in one localitj' modifies the appearance of the fish 

 according to the conditions obtaining in the locality. The appearance of trout as affected 

 by various en\'ironments and conditions may be stated in general somewhat as follows : 



Slender, light-colored, silvery trout in clear, sandy lakes and ponds, or localities 

 in bodies of water where such conditions obtain, and clear, sandy, quick-water streams. 



Stout, dark-colored trout in lakes or ponds or localities of lakes or ponds having 

 muddy bottom and considerable vegetable growth, and particularly water discolored 

 by vegetable stain. The same may be said of streams, and it may be added that the 

 swifter the flow of water where the trout occurs the slenderer it is likely to be. "\'arious 

 degrees and mixtures of conditions correspondingly modify the fish subjected to them. 

 The shape and color also vary with the siz.e and age of the fish and, as pre\dously stated, 

 are often greatly changed in the breeding season. 



