120 PHTSOSTOMI. 



of the base of the adipose dorsal fin to the lateral-line. The figure is on plate 

 cxx, fig. 2, along with one, fig. 1, raised at Howietown. 



Habits. — Similar to our charr and, like it, appears to prefer deep water. Is 

 generally considered to have great roving propensities and is not often found 

 rising to the fly after having attained a pound in weight. A "conservator" 

 writing from Shropshire to the Field, remarked that he considered it useless for 

 turning into a running water, as it drops down stream, while it does not attain 

 to the size of our brook-trout, and in a lake will not rise well to the fly. He 

 thought it as bad as pike in destroying other fish, consequently he did not 

 recommend it, although it is excellent eating, and fights well when hooked. Mr. 

 Andrews at Guildford, states that he found that his yearlings ran from 8 oz. to 

 10 oz. and two-year-olds from 1^ to 2 lb. each; three-year-olds averaged 4 lb., and 

 four-year-olds go 5^- lb. to 6^- lb. (Land and Water, July 22, 1882.) 



Breeding. — The eggs as already remarked (page 105) are only about half the size 

 of those of the brook-trout, and although in some localities it has been observed to 

 deposit its ova earlier than the trout, it does so mostly at about the same period. 

 " One very striking character in rearing Salmo fontinalis, is the remarkable 

 difference in the growth of individuals in a single brood of fry from the same 

 batch of ova : some at great speed outstrip their brethren in a short space 

 of time, while the majority are probably -§■ less than these in size at the end of 

 the first few months" (Carrington, Zool. 1876, p. 5112). It is by no means 

 uncommon to find some take on cannibal propensities similar to the trout 

 (page 94). 



Hybridism. — In June, 1882, I received from Sir Pryse Pryse, Cardiganshire, 

 an example 9 inches long, evidently a hybrid between this form and the brook- 

 trout. 



B. x, D. 14 (^), P. 14, V. r. 9, 1. 8, A. 11 (£), C. 19, L. 1. 119, L. tr. 27/39. 



Length of head 5, of caudal fin 5^, height of body 5 in the total length. 

 Eyes — diameter of each 1/5 of the length of the head, If diameters from the end 

 of the snout, and If apart. Cleft of mouth deep, the maxilla reaching posteriorly 

 to beneath the hind edge of the orbit. Hind edge of preopercle with a slight 

 angle at its centre, also where it commences to form its lower limb, which latter is 

 distinct. Width of opercle equal to two-thirds of its height. Height of sub- 

 opercle at its base 2| in that of the opercle, and having a rounded posterior 

 margin. Teeth — two at the anterior portion of the vomer where it joins the 

 palatine arch, 6 along the body of that bone at first in alternate rows, but the 

 last two single, the most posterior one the largest. Scales — 170 rows descend from 

 the back to the lateral-line, 19 from the hind edge of the adipose dorsal in a line 

 downwards and forwards to the lateral-line ; 29 rows from the lateral-line to the 

 base of the ventral fin. Fins — the dorsal commences midway between the end of 

 the snout and the base of the caudal fin ; the length of its base equals 3/4 of 

 its height. Candal emarginate. Colours — those of S. fontinalis being gray 

 rivulated with yellowish-white and wide serpentine bands, or forming rings 

 round gray blotches, which have a light central spot. A few red spots along the 

 lateral-line, but none apparent above or below it. Dorsal, caudal, and ventral 

 fins coloured similarly to 8. fontinalis but the anal with a less distinct black 

 border at the base of its white outer edge. 



As food. — It is excellent, the flesh may be white, perfectly pink, or of a deep 

 red. 



Habitat. — The fresh waters of British North America, and contiguous portions 

 of the United States. It has, during the last twenty years, been acclimatized in 

 this country, and thrives in most places where it has been turned out, either in 

 Scotland, England, or Wales. 



In Norfolk it is said to grow twice as quickly as the brook-trout. It does well 

 in the stock-ponds at Howietown, near Stirling, also near Guildford, and in other 

 localities. 



The first plate, cxx, fig. 1, is from an example 8| inches long, from Howie- 

 toun, and fig. 2 from an example kept for some years in a tank at the Westminster 

 Royal Aquarium. 



