348 THE AXGLER-NATUEALIST. 



the constitutional vigour of the individual fish, as wit- 

 nessed in the periodical assumption of peculiar tints in other 

 animals. Case Charr, Red Charr, Gilt Charr, and Silver 

 Charr are all names which have at difterent times been 

 applied to the Charr of the British lakes in consequence 

 of the varying intensity of their colouring. Dr. Davy 

 says that the " Silver Charr " of ^^'indermere spawns chiefly 

 in November and avoids the deep portions of the lake, 

 whilst the " Gilt Charr " inhabits only the deepest water* 

 and does not spawn till the beginning of Febniavy. It 

 seems a fair presumption, therefore, that some of these 

 variations in colour indicate specific dificrences, A\hilst in 

 other cases they are merely local, or depeiulcnt on sex or 

 condition. 



From 9 to 12 inches is the usual length of the Charr of 

 the Cumberland and Westmorehmd lakes ; but speeimrus 

 have been occasionally taken as long as from 18 to 2 I 

 inches. 



Dr. Giiuther gives the following as the general charac- 

 teristics of the AVmdermere Charr : — 



Body compressed, slightly elevated, its proatest depth being equal 

 to oue-t'ourth of the distance between the snout and the end of the 

 midtUe tail-tin rnvs ; length of head equal to a little more than one- 

 half of distance between snout and origin of back-liu. Head com- 

 pressed ; iiiU-rorliHal sj)ace cmire.r, in width being less than twice dia- 

 meter of eye. JaAYs of male of equal length in front. Teeth of mode- 

 rate, strength, 4 in each intennaxilloiy, 20 in each maxillary bone. 

 Ijcngth of pectoral fin less than that of head, but much more in 

 length than half the distance between its root and the root of the 

 ventral tin. Back-tin rays 12. 105 transverse series of scales above 



