13 



with more than 200 in longitudinal series, and by the large oblong 

 markings on the tail fin. The number of anal rays Is 15 while in the 

 branchiostegals 11 or 12 are present. The color of the back is blue, 

 that of the sides silvery. Numerous small black dots are scattered 

 over the dorsal surface. 



The Dog Salmon or Chum, Oncorhynchus fceto (Walbaum), (Fig. 

 14) is an abundant species in Puget Sound, but has not been utilized 

 extensively until recent years, when the pressure for fish has brought it 

 into the market. The scales are of medium size, with 135 to 155 in 

 longitudinal series. The anal rays and branchiostegals both vary from 

 13 to 14. The color is dusky above, with the sides paler. Black mark- 

 ings are absent or faintly indicated. The Dog Salmon attains a weight 

 of 11 or 12 pounds. It runs in quite small streams and spawns near 

 the sea. 



The genus Salmo contains species that are, zoologically speaking, 

 close kin to the Atlantic Salmon. "We have three species in this region, 

 but only two appear in the salt water. 



Salmo gairdneri (Richardson), (Fig. 19) is the scientific name of 

 the fish known as the Steelhead or Salmon Trout. This is one of 

 our most valuable food fishes, since it is abundant in all of our coastal 

 streams and attains a considerable size. Specimens may weigh up to 

 20 pounds, although the average is apt to be 5 or 6. Unlike the Pa- 

 cific Salmon the Steelhead does not perish after spawning, but like its 

 relative, the Atlantic Salmon, may return to the sea. Great quantities 

 of this species are used, both fresh and canned. The Steelhead may 

 be immediately separated from the Pacific Salmon by the lesser num- 

 ber of rays in the anal fin, the usual count being 11. The back of the 

 Steelhead is dark blue and the sides silvery with a band of rose color 

 running lengthwise. Numerous small black dots are scattered over 

 the upper surface of the body, but not extending below the lateral 

 line. The strip of red on the lower jaw so characteristic of the Cut- 

 throat Trout, is lacking. 



The Cut-throat Trout, Salmo mykiss (Walbaum), (Fig. 20) is 

 ordinarily thought of as a fresh-water fish, but it descends to the 

 estuaries of the rivers which it inhabits and may be found in salt 

 water at considerable distances from any stream. It is extremely 

 variable in its characteristics, and in some instances is hard to dis- 

 tinguish from the steelhead. The most constant mark of the species 

 is the streak of red on the lower jaw, which gives rise to the common 

 name. The scales are smaller than in the Steelhead, and the black 

 spotting is spread over the area below the lateral line and intensified 

 in the region of the tail. 



The Dolly Varden Trout, Salvelinus malma ("Walbaum), (Pig. 21) 

 is technically not a trout at all, but a charr. It has a number of com- 

 mon names including Bull Trout, Oregon Charr, etc. Aside from the 



