59 



SALMO ERIOX: THE BULL-TROUT. 



By the rev. M. G. WATKINS, M.A., 

 Bariioldby-le-Beck, Great Grivishy, 



The Salmonidce are as yet so little understood that I make no 

 apology for introducing the above subject, although as a fisherman I 

 know nothing whatever of the Bull Trout. It is singular, however, 

 that when the tendency of science at present is to enlarge the number 

 of species, in the case of this fish, which I believe is generally 

 regarded by all practical anglers as a distinct species, the latest views 

 are for denying its specific rank. Thus Clarke and Roebuck's 

 Handbook of Yorkshire Vertebrafa, a most useful book for all 

 north-country naturalists, says, page 126: 'The Bull Trout, 



* thoroughly and generally believed in as a distinct species in York- 



* shire, is very abundant in the Esk and the Tees. Dr. GUnther, 

 'however, states that all specimens of the so-called "Bull Trout" 

 'that he has examined have been referable to S. triitta (Salmon 



* Trout), S. Cajubricus (Sewin), or S. Fario (Common Trout).' Dr. 

 Giinther himself, in the British Museum Catalogue of Fish (Vol. VI., 

 Sahnonidce, 1866), writes that 'the Salmonidse, as a family, is 

 'geologically of the most recent creation, and perhaps composed 

 ' of forms not yet specifically differentiated.' In the list of English 

 members of that family he enumerates '-S. Cainbricus. Sewin in 

 ' Wales, or Bull Trout, or Blue Poll, or Peal, or Salmon Peal' If then, 

 north-country anglers may change the name of their Bull Trout from 

 S. Eriox to S. Camhricus^ it seems they are entitled to regard the 

 Bull Trout as a distinct species after all. The term ' Sewin,' it should 

 be noticed, is used in two widely different senses. By some it is the 

 general term for every migratory Salmonoid, except the Salmon ; by 

 others (as by Dr. Giinther), it is confined to a special form, the true 

 Welsh Sewin. That there is a peculiar kind of big Salmonoid which in 

 spring and more frequently in autumn ascends rivers, especially the 

 Tweed, and commits much havoc among the spawning beds of the 

 true Salmon, is unquestionable. In the north of Northumberland it 

 is known as the Coquet Trout, and a great Norwegian angler told me 

 that in August it is not worth while fishing his river in Norway for 

 Salmon. Enormous numbers of Bull Trout then run up it, and 

 persist in taking the fly, while their flesh is very poor, and the play 

 they give much inferior to the true Salmon. Yarrell calls the 

 6". Eriox, ' Bull Trout, Roundtail, or Sewin,' and claims ' several 

 specific peculiarities ' for it, and even ' generic differences ' if, as he 

 says, 'M. Valenciennes be correct.' For myself, I cannot see 

 much in his distinctions ; but I believe that the wide range and 



Oct. 1884. 



