HABITS OF THE OUANANICHE 83 



pi}' retain the marks of the immature stages to a later period of life. 

 This view is supported by another fact that 1 have observed— 

 namel}-, that the dark bands are never completely obliterated from 

 the sides of the landlocked salmon, being always very distinct, 

 even in adult specimens, on the under-side of the skin, a phenome- 

 non which I have sought for in vain among the migratory salmon. 



"The landlocked salmon, though smaller and leaner than his 

 anadromous brother, is yet not a poor fish. His flesh is fat and 

 rich, and of a more delicate flavor. la game qualities he is, for 

 his size, quite the peer of the larger salmon, and afEords keen sport 

 to the fly-fisherman. He is, therefore, much sought after, taking, 

 perhaps, in public favor, the lead of all fresh-water species. 



"The natural range of the landlocked salmon in the United 

 States is very much restricted. Leaving out of the question the 

 salmon formerly frequenting the rivers tributary to the great lakes, 

 Ontario, and Champlain, the extent of whose migration is a matter 

 of doubt, we find them only in four limited districts, all in the State 

 of Maine — namely, the Presumpscot River, in Cumberland and Ox- 

 ford Counties ; the Sebec (a tributary of the Penobscot), in Piscat- 

 aquis County ; the Union River, in Hancock County ; and the St. 

 Croix, in Washington County. There are some minor differences 

 between the fish of these several districts, of which, perhaps, that 

 of size is most notable. The Sebago and Union River fish are 

 much larger on the average than those of the Sebec and St. Croix. 

 The Sebago salmon average at the spawning-season 4 to 5 pounds' 

 weight for the males and a pound less for the females, while 

 specimens of 13 and 14 pounds' weight are not rare, and there is 

 even on record one of 17| pounds. The Union River fish are about 

 the same size. The St. Croix fish vary in th*e matter of weight in 

 different parts of their range, but the average weight of either sex 

 at Grand Lake Stream is a little less than 3 pounds. Specimens of 

 over 6 pounds are rare, and none is on record of over 10 pounds." 



It is proper to remark that since the paper from 

 which the above extracts are taken -was written, the 

 distribution of the ouananiche in the United States 

 has been largel}^ extended, by the planting of the fish 

 in waters of ISTew York and New Hampshire. 



