688 ZOOLOGY— FISHES. 



species of fish in Lake Utah, the trout does not hesitate to prey to a large 

 extent upon the young of other kinds, suffering itself, in return, in the same 

 way, but in a much less degree. The trout is very voracious, devouring other 

 fish smaller than itself, particularly a species locally known as " Silver- 

 sides" or "Leather-sided Minnows" {Gila (Clinostomits) taenia, Cope, sp. 

 nov.), of from two to six inches in length ; on dissection, I found the 

 stomach of the trout crammed with these little fish. Grasshoppers, too, 

 are a source of diet to the trout, with flies and other insects, while they do 

 not disdain even snakes and frogs of tolerably large size. With regard to the 

 methods of feeding, I have not been able to perceive or otherwise learn of 

 any peculiarities of the trout unless it be the great eagerness with which 

 they seek their food and the rapidity of devouring the same, especially with 

 reference to bait on the hook. The quantity of food it consumes, judging 

 from personal observations and accounts of experienced fishermen, must be 

 enormous. During the spawning season, no very observable changes take 

 place in the trout except those mentioned above, and also that the under 

 part of the cheek of the female becomes very bright. As a rule, it maybe 

 stated that in general appearance the male is much less bright than the 

 female at this season, and smaller. 



Before spawning, the nests are made in the sand or gravel by a rotary 

 motion of the tail of the male. Into this cavity, the eggs are exuded by the 

 female, which is sedulously guarded by the male until the process is com- 

 pleted, when the latter deposits the milt which is to impregnate the eggs. 

 No further care is taken by either after the deposition of the impregnating 

 substance. Most of the spawning is done in the rivers, but the process 

 takes place in the lake also to some extent. Spawning is greatly interfered 

 with by the nets used by fishermen ; knowing the time when fish "begin 

 to run up the rivers, the nets are drawn near the mouth of the streams, and 

 large numbers of fish taken. It is not known at what age this fish begins 

 to breed, nor what period of time the process continues, although both these 

 points might be definitely ascertained by careful observation of captives 

 under favorable circumstances. The act of spawning exerts an injurious 

 effect on the flesh of the fish, rendering it poor and insipid. In addition, 

 many of the fish seeking the upper parts of the rivers, to fulfill their repro- 



