152 MALACOPTERYGII. 



the Basin some years previous to 1842.) Sells at from five to eight pence 

 per pound. 



The largest specimen of which I have a note was taken at Wexford in 

 1849, and obtained by Dr. Ball. It weighed 171 lbs. 



From a basketful of salmon trout taken at Donaghadee and brought 

 to Belfast market, on 28th March, 1835, I selected the smallest, which 

 weighed 1^ lb. (and cost 8r/. per lb.), for examination. 



Its length is 15^- inches; breadth o^V inches; B. 10 at one side, 11 

 rays at the other ;"D. IjlO (the last double from base) ; P. 13; V. 1 9; 

 A. 9 (the last double fi'om base) ; C. 19. 



Colour. Head marked irregularly with blue and green ; back faintly 

 marked with the same colours; above and a short way beneath the lateral 

 line are irregular black markings, which can hardly be called spots 

 (some of these are similar to the markings on Donovan's Sewen (pi. 91), 

 but are more irregular ; it has about as many spots above lateral line, as 

 this fig., but they are more in-egularly disposed; it has not so many below 

 lateral line as this figure, it diff"ers from it in form) ; from a little above the 

 lateral line, and thence to the belly, the scales are of the most bi'illiant 

 silver ; on the upper portion they have that fine azurine tint which those 

 of the PoUan of L. Neagh exhibits ; under parts of the purest white. 

 D. fins very pale dusky green ; C. the same ; A. transparent white. V. same, 

 except at inner base, where they are tinged Avith iridescent green and 

 blue, and above that with purplish red, which colours also prevail at 

 inner base of pectoral fins ; these fins are uniform, transparent white on 

 under side, the upper side being partially dotted with black. 



Irides, silvery, with tinge of yellow, pujjil black. 



Tail, slightly forked. 



Upper jaw, longer than under. 



Head, delicately formed, and sloping equally on upper and under side. 



In colour it approaches Donovan's Sewen (pi. 91) more nearly than 

 any other figure I have seen ; but in form, especially of the head, it totally 

 differs from it. 



The only Lough Neagh Sal/no to which this specimen bears any re- 

 semblance is the sea trout, so called there; but the Lough Neagh speci- 

 mens of this trout that I procured in September had no approximation to 

 this Donaghadee fish, in regard to brilliancy of colour or deciduousness 

 of scales. Is this a seasonal diff"erence ? 



On showing this fish to Thomas Sinclaire, Esq., he recognised it as un- 

 questionably the species of sea trout which he used to catch in the 

 Lagan, from August to December, but chiefly after the November floods. 

 For many years he has not heard of it being taken in the Lagan. He 

 has seen his father take it in Glenarm river in July. 



The Common Tkout, Salmo Fario, Linn., 



Is common thi'oughout the lakes and rivers of Ireland. 



July I9t/t, 1838. — Stomachs of two taken in the Lagan, examined and 

 found to be filled completely, chiefly with insect larvae of many kinds, 

 some flies and Gaminarus aquaticus. 



A friend informs me that he has known a small river in the North of 

 Ireland fished by poachers for the extent of three miles, by means of a net 

 formed of a couple of blankets fastened together. 



A few weeks ago there were a dozen trout caught at Wolf hill, by some 

 lime being put where they were ; instantly, on their coming to the top of 

 the water, they were captui'ed and put into a tub of pure water, and con- 



