234 Field and Forest Rambles. 



it in the grace and elegance of its motions. I think it a more 

 powerful fish than its European ally, as certainly it equals, if 

 not surpasses, any of its tribe in brilliancy of colouring. 



A more beautiful sight can scarcely be imagined than, by 

 the side of some pool "o'erhung with wild woods thick'ning 

 green," to peer through the darkening waters, and watch the 

 finny tribes pursuing their various modes of life. It is not 

 often one is so fortunate, but now and then, among the clear 

 waters of the numberless brooks running over the granite and 

 slate rocks of New Brunswick, I have come on a basin below 

 some cataract, with its bottom covered with rounded stones, 

 where, by the side of the water-logged pine or jutting shelf, 

 half hidden from view, and tiger-like prepared for a sudden 

 dash, lurks the brook trout. See, those large bright eyes are 

 scanning every corner ! How graceful are the movements of 

 the fins, every ray of which is in motion ; whilst the regular 

 heaving of the gills, and the play of the lissom but muscular 

 body, show that he is able and ready to pounce on whatever 

 objects his choice may determine. At length something ap- 

 pears, and before we can well note his absence he has shot 

 through the clear waters, captured his prey, and returned once 

 more to his hiding-place ! 



Lake Trouts. — The non-migratory lake trouts of North 

 America, as far as has yet been ascertained, comprehend three 

 forms, to which the following specific names have been given : 

 the Namaycush, or Great Trout of the Lakes ; 

 the Togue, or Grey-spotted Lake Trout ; and the 

 SlSCOWET. The first was described by Pennant at the 

 close of the last century, the second by Dekay in 1842, 

 and the third by Agassiz in 1850. According to the present 

 state of our knowledge of their haunts, it appears that the 

 namaycush inhabits the great lakes extending from the 

 Northern United States to the Arctic Sea. The togue is 

 said to frequent only the New England, Nova Scotian, 



