Fishes of Massachusetts. 429 
S. fontinalis. Mitchell. The common brook 
Trout. 
Trans. Lit. et Philosoph. Soc. v. i. p. 435. 
Richardson's Fauna, p. 176, et fig. 
This is quite a common species in our market, 
and meets with a ready sale. Dr. Mitchell speaks 
of it as being highly esteemed in New York. 
Of twelve specimens before me, the largest is - 
eight inches in length. The upper part of the body 
is of a pale brown color, mottled with darker undu- 
lating, reticulating markings ; the sides lighter, with 
a great number of circular yellow spots, varying in 
their size from a small point to a line or more in 
diameter; and many of them having in the centre 
a bright red spot; sometimes, the yellow color sur- 
rounding them having partially disappeared, they 
seem distinct from the cireular spots, or are sur- 
rounded by a dull bluish halo ; these red spots differ 
exceedingly in number; in some specimens, three 
or four only are observable, and these are situated 
below the lateral line; in others, twenty or more 
are seen scattered above and below the lateral line 
indiscriminately, presenting a beautiful appearance. 
Body beneath whitish, slightly fuliginous. Length 
of the head to the whole length of the body, as 1 
and 1-2 to 7; top of the head slightly flattened ; 
the snout obtuse. Head above, darker colored than 
the back. Géill-covers golden, with fuliginous. 
Eyes large, pupils black, irides silvery. Dis- 
tance between the eyes, equal to one fifth the 
