GENERAL DESCRIPTION 



Species and Varieties. 



In making these traverses from one geographical 

 division to another, and from one quality of water to 

 another, as affected by impregnation of salts, oxides, 

 and what not, the trout creation must have undergone 

 those physical modifications and changes in habits, 

 and perhaps in markings and coloration, which are 

 conspicuous throughout the family; thereby estab- 

 lishing from time to time new species, as well as vari- 

 eties not recognized by scientists as species. These 

 find taxonomic expression in kaleidoscopic body-pat- 

 terns (like the orchids and begonias), as well as in 

 form, size, weight, tint of flesh, and rapidity of 

 growth. Thus we have the diminutive blue-back of 

 the Rangeleys, seldom exceeding four ounces in aver- 

 age weight; the gigantic lake trout {namaycush), at- 

 taining lOO pounds ; the sea trout of British America, 

 a purely marine fish, ranging coastwise from Maine to 

 Alaska, feeding along shore, spawning in the estuaries 

 at the head of the tide, and seldom running up more 

 than a mile or two into the fresh-water streams ; the 

 red-spotted Dolly Vardens of California ; the rainbow 

 trout of the Rockies ; the red trout of Idaho ; the 

 black-spotted varieties of the Continental Divide ; the 

 steelheads of Oregon ; the olivaceous trouts of our 

 Eastern lakes ; the black togue of Maine ; the silvery 

 trout of the Penobscot Basin ; the white trout of Loch 

 Lomond in the Province of New Brunswick ; and, best 



