ZOOLOGY. 341 



the ventrals; rays 12, the two anterior simple. Adipose nearly opposite to the posterior rays 

 of the anal. Pectorals with 15 rays; ventrals with 10. Anal stout, with 14 or 15 rays. 

 Caudal marked with dark oval spots, more distinct in the smaller fish. 



From the preceding account I have but little doubt that the species found with us is the 

 same as that of Pallas, and have accordingly adopted his SA'nonym. It is not unlikely that 

 more of our species may prove identical with those of Kamtschatka. This theory is not 

 opposed by the physical conformation of the two continents, which, approaching each other 

 so closely at the north, are also nearly joined at a comparatively southern point by the chain 

 of islands formerly the Aleutian archipelago. 



The present species may be distinguished from the S. Scoiileri by its smaller size, the 

 prominent hump in the males, its smaller scales, and the fine regular teeth along the sides 

 of the jaws. The teeth of the S. Scoukri are scattered irregularly, and are generally large; 

 but by no means uniform in size along the sides of the maxillaries. — T. 



SALMO CANIS, Suckle y. 



Dog Salmon ; Spotted Salmon. 



S»N — Salmo cania, Sucklet, Ann. N. T. Lye. Dec. 1858. — Lekai, Chinook jargon ; Tlh-whai, Nisqu.^lliis. 



Sp. Ch. — Male: Gape Hue of mouth much arched ; intermaxillary protuberance well marked, decurved ; fleshy prclonsa- 

 tion beyond chin rather thick ; jaws fully provided with large strong teeth, so large as to give rise to the name of dog 

 salmon ; dorsal outline moiierately arched ; body compressed laterally, but rather deep ; weight of full grown adult rarely 

 exceeds 12 or 14 pounds. Colors, upon first arrival into fresh water, of a dingy greenish olive on the back, fading into 

 brassy yellow on the sides, and to dingy yellowish white on the belly ; sides more or less maculated with large alternate 

 patches of dingy green and purplish red ; flesh pale, and of inferior quality ; upper fins and tail dark. 



Hab. — Northwest coast of America. Enters the streams along Puget Sound in great numbers in autumn. 



The spotted or lekai salmon enters the rivers of Puget Sound in great numbers every 

 autumn, generally appearing between September 15 and October 10. They come in vast 

 numbers, and arrive so simultaneously as to seem to be in shoals, though, probably, that is 

 occasioned not by a gregarious character, but by the same instinct causing all the individuals 

 to leave the sea at about the same period for the purpose of procreation. 



They are not a finely flavored fish, even when "fresh run," many individuals being at that 

 time in bad condition — a condition unusual among salmon just quitting salt water. After a 

 short residence in fresh water all become poor and unsavory, and some even intolerably rank. 

 Upon first arrival the sickly fish are readily distinguished by the natives by their colors, the 

 best fish being of a leaden olive or dingy green on the back, and a yellowish white along the 

 belly; the poor ones are of various shades and tints of dingy green and yellow, more or less 

 maculated on the sides with purplish and black blotches. They enter, by preference, the 

 smaller streams. 



Owing to the large jaws and long ferocious-looking teeth of the species they have obtained 

 from the whites the name of dog-salmon. Vast numbers are taken by the Indians with spears, 

 gaff hooks, weirs, &c., and dried for winter use. Upon their arrival in September and October 

 their roes are nearly mature. 



It is interesting to witness their persevering efforts to run up shallows, and in overcoming 

 insurmountable obstacles, even running out of water upon the shores, in their blind eagerness to 

 surmount impossibilities and reach the headwaters of the stream to deposit their spawn. In 

 endeavoring to ascend high falls, and in passing through rocky, violent passages, their snouts 



