324 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



informed me that lie caught one at Enfield, New Hampshire, which weighed nine 

 pounds. 



The following interesting observations upon the habits of this species were sent 

 me by my friend, J. B. Forsyth, M. D., of Chelsea, formerly of Sandwich, and with his 

 consent were published in the fifth volume of the Boston Journal of Natural History. 



'' The few observations I have to communicate upon the habits and peculiarities of 

 the Salmon-Trout were made during a residence of ten years in Sandwich, Cape Cod, 

 where the facilities for that purpose are abundant. 



^^ It may be well to premise, that the distance, at this point of the Cape, from one bay 

 to the other, varies from five to ten miles, and the land is gradually elevated from 

 each shore till it reaches the centre, and consequently the streams, for the most part 

 arising from springs, are short, terminating in creeks upon the marshes. Many of 

 these are of sufficient magnitude for mill-sites, and are therefore crossed by permanent 

 obstructions ; and hence it frequently happens, in the short space of a quarter of a 

 mile, you find specimens of both, as they are familiarly called, the fresh and salt water 

 trout. 



" The following yaiieties in color and appearance have been observed. 



" 1st. Those having the upper part and sides of a pale-brown, gradually becoming 

 less so till it terminates in white on the under part, having a silvery appearance wdien 

 first taken from the water, and covered with small, distinct scales, the circular yellow 

 and red spots very indistinct ; generally found in the marshy creeks or open streams, 

 where the sun has free access. They are well fed upon minnows and shrimps, have a 

 plump aiDpearance, and are the variety mostly sought after by those who desire the trout, 

 in its highest perfection, for the table. They are taken mostly between the months of 

 January and July. They vary in size from one fourth of a pound to four poumds ; but 

 I have never seen one to exceed two and a half. 



" 2d. Those having the upper part and sides of a dark brown, having a dark-green 

 appearance, terminating in white or .orange underneath, and covered more or less with 

 round yellow spots, with a bright-red centre, color varying according to the location, 

 and generally not so plump and well fed as those above mentioned. 



" 3d* Those having the upper part and sides of either a light or dark brown, with 

 spots more distinctly marked on the dark than the light ; underneath, the color uni- 

 formly ferruginous or orange. 



" Each of these varieties is found both in the streams communicating with the salt 

 marshes, and in those whicli are entirely cut off from them by permanent obstructions. 

 The first-named variety, however, is nowhere found in so great perfection as in close 



