THE SALMON AND TKOUT OF JAPAN. 



75 



10. The Ayu or Sweet-fish : Pleeoglossus altielis Schlegel. 



The Ayu is a dwarf Salmon, with the teeth of the jaws modified in 

 a very peculiar fashion, as serrated plates. It is found in all the rivers 

 of Japan throughout the four main islands. It is one of the most 

 delicious of food fishes, and from its abundance one of the most valuable. 

 It is of all the Japanese fishes the one which best deserves introduction 

 into other regions. It would doubtles thrive in the clear swift stream of 

 California and Chili, as well as in those of New Zealand and Mexico, and 

 probably in England aud France as well. Its white flaky flesh, similar 

 to that of the smelt or even finer is peculiarly delicate and nutritious. 

 Oui- specimens are from Same, Ishikari River, Ao inori, Matsushima, 

 Tokio, Nikko, Morioka, Sendai, Gifu, Lake Biwa, Wakanoura, Kobe, 

 Hiroshima, Osaka, Kurume, Nagasaki and Taihoku, Formosa. 



