086 ZOOLOGY— FISHES. 



By an extended examination of specimens, we are ready to state that this 

 species certainly maintains its distinctness from S. pleuriticus, Cope, from the 

 streams which flow from the mountains on both sides, in its more slender 

 form of head and body. The depth enters the length 5.75 and 6 times, and 

 equals the length of the head to the preoperculum. In S. pleuriticus of equal 

 size, it enters the length 4.G6 times, and nearly equals the length of the head 



As this fish possesses interest from an economic point of view, the 

 following account, compiled from Dr. H. C. Yarrow's field notes, may be 

 found of interest : 



The Lake Trout, or, as it is sometimes called, the Brook and Speckled 

 Trout, by the inhabitants of Utah, is one of the most characteristic and num- 

 erous fish of the Territory, affording a valuable, healthy, and cheap article 

 of diet. This fish has existed for years in immense numbers, and for this 

 reason it is rather singular that its occurrence was not noticed until the 

 party of this survey visited Lake Utah in 1872. This fish is found in Utah 

 and Panquitch Lakes (the latter in Southern Utah) throughout the year, 

 being most abundant during July and August, at which time these notes 

 were hastily taken. 



In comparison with the other fishes of Utah, the LakeTrout is undoubtedly 

 the most numerous and the most easily captured ; how long, however, this 

 condition of affairs will last it is impossible to say, the supply having greatly 

 diminished during the past few years, owiug to the reckless methods of 

 fishing and increase ki the number of fishermen; moreover, a larger demand 

 is now made for this fish, owing to increase in the number of settlers. The 

 decrease in the yield may be roughly estimated at about one-third, but this 

 percentage is slowly but surely increasing. The greatest size this fish 

 attains, as far as could be learned on inquiry and from personal observation, 

 is three feet ; weight about fifteen and a half pounds. The average length, 

 however, is about fourteen inches, and average weight one and a half pounds. 

 The rate of growth is not known, although it is stated by the fishermen to 

 be perhaps an inch per annum, but according to my belief the rate is greater. 

 The fish is supposed to attain its full size in about five years. In shape 

 there is very little difference between the male and female ; though near 

 the breeding season the female is the larger and more brilliant in color. 



