MR. F. DAY ON THK LOCH-LEVEN TROUT. 



83 



It seemed, so far as we could ascertain, that more animal pond- 

 life was present in tlie low^er pond among the greater amount of 

 vegetation, especially the sessile-eyed crustaceans Gammarus 

 pulex and water-snails {LimncBa ovata, variety peregra). These 

 forms were, how^ever, also present in the upper pond, where a 

 small water-newt was also netted. During the month of April 

 this year, when investigating the stream which issues from tlie 

 lower end of these ponds, I found enormous numbers of tadpoles 

 and the larvae of Ephemeridse and their allies. 



A fish captured in the upper pond was seven inches long, its 

 colours generally silvery with a golden abdomen, and a few^ black 

 spots along the sides, three of which were below the lateral line 

 and two on it, as well as three red ones ; cheeks silvery yellow, 

 abdomen golden. Some spots on the rayed dorsal fin, which 

 had a white black-based edge at its upper angle; while the 

 ventral and anal fins had a very distinct w^hite black-based 

 edging. Upper and lower rays of caudal fin and the upper 

 end of the adipose dorsal orange-edged. 52 caecal appendages. 

 A male, but sterile. The appearance of this fish as to colour 

 was, Mr. Ogden observed, similar to the others removed from 

 the pond. 



Two fishes were taken from the lower pond, one ten, the other 

 eleven inches long. They were generally purplish, with golden 

 reflections. The side of the body (of one which was most criti- 

 cally examined) from the upper edge of the pectoral fin to and 

 above the lateral line was closely dotted with ocellated black spots, 

 while there were also some red ones, five of which were on the 

 lateral line. Che eks golden ; abdomen golden, becoming white 

 on the chest. Dorsal fin with numerous spots, and a pink black- 

 edged upper angle. Adipose dorsal with a red edge and several 

 black spots. Pectoral and ventral chrome with white edges, base 

 dark. 62 caecal appendages. A male, with the generative organs 

 well developed. 22 small shells of JLimncea in its stomach. 



As regards the colour * on the adipose dorsal fin, I examined 

 at Howietoun, on August 15th, 188G, a number of two-year-olds, 



* An interesting occurrence has taken place at Cowley among these fish, 

 which would seem to prove that Lochlevens throwing back to brook-trout 

 may be consequent upon a diminished supply of food causing deterioration. 

 During the last week in November Mr. Ogden was near this lower pond and saw 

 a large trout rise ; so he returned to the house, and having obtained his fishing- 

 tackle, made a cast over it and captured it at the first throw. The fish proved to 

 be 15 oz. in weight and in good condition, but was described to me as having 



