The Identification of Salmon and Trout. 1 49 



young of the different migratory species put 

 on a coat of silvery scales, which covers the 

 bluish transverse bars, before they commence 

 their migration to the sea. 



The colour of the bottom of the water in 

 which the fish live, as well as that of tbe 

 water itself, influences greatly their appearance 

 and markings, and, like the chameleon, they 

 have the power, to some extent, of changing 

 their colour in accordance with their sur- 

 roundings. 



The size of the fish is also a very variable 

 character, and cannot be relied upon as a 

 guide to its identification. It is well known 

 that the size of trout depends on the amount 

 and quality of their food, and the extent of 

 the feeding ground available. 



It is stated by Gunther that the Salmo 

 fario, when it inhabits a small mountain pool, 

 with scanty food, never reaches a greater 

 weight than eight ounces ; while in a large 

 lake or river, where food is abundant, it 

 attains to a weight of 14 or 16 lbs. It 

 has been found by dissection that these over- 

 grown fish are usually barren, and hence 

 such large specimens, from their well-known 



