CHAPTER IX. 



BROOK, OR SPECKLED TROUT. 



This fish belongs to the family Salmonidm, of 

 Naturalists, some of the characteristics of which > 

 are, body more or less scaly, two dorsal fins, the 

 first articulated rays, the second adipose, or fatty. 

 The different species inhabiting fresh and salt 

 water. 



The Brook Trout, then, belongs to the genus 

 Salmo, species Salmo Fontinalis. Its beautiful 

 figure, its gay colors, and the gracefulness of its 

 motions, must be seen to be appreciated. No de- 

 scription that has ever been given, does him 

 justice. His haunts are among the wildest and 

 most picturesque scenery imaginable. The fol- 

 lowing cut represents a female Trout, which we 

 have in our pond, and which has become very 

 tame. 



It is found from our most northern States, 

 as far south as Virginia — rarely in the western 

 States. In a few streams in north-eastern Ohio 

 they were found in abundance, thirty or forty 

 years since, and a few are yet to be found on 

 the head waters of the Chagrin river; but in a 



