THE SALMON TROUT. 
151 
size of ordinary clover seed. I was pleased to have proof of its food ; in 
its stomach a little of Ulva Linza, Linn., was found ; one plant from root 
to top being perfect. 
March 16 th, 1850. — A very fine one, 5 lbs. weight, taken with a number 
of S. Trutta at Donaghadee, was brought me. I saw a small one a few 
days ago which had been caught there. 
On 2nd August , 1851, I obtained an example of this fish at Newcastle, 
County Down, weight 31 lbs. — some, if not all, of the trout called “ Dolo- 
chan,” at Dundrum, are (from the descriptions given) apparently of this 
species. They are taken up to 12 lbs. weight, and are said to ascend the 
river as regularly as the salmon. 
The Salmon Trout,* Salmo Trutta , Linn., Salmo albus , Flem., 
Is common around the coast. I have examined specimens from all sides 
of the island. Belfast market is supplied from spring to autumn with 
this species, taken in the sea, whence all that I have seen taken, no mat- 
ter at what season, were in good condition. It ascends the tributaries, 
great and small, of Belfast Bay. 
On examination of a specimen of S. Trutta , taken in the Lagan Canal, 
on 16th February, 1837, with Scotch specimens of the herling, S. albus, 
sent to me by Capt. Fayrer, It. N., I found a perfect agreement between 
them. 
In the stomach of the Lagan fish were a gammarus-like crustacean, 
a leech, and the remains of larva-cases of the Phryganea (caddis- worms). 
March 2nd, 1837. — There was a basketful of S. Trutta in Belfast 
market from Donaghadee, where this species is abundant ; their average 
weight about 1^ lb. I bought one of this weight, and on opening it 
neither milt nor roe appeared. In its stomach were the remains of seven 
or eight sand eels from 2 to 3^ inches long. I examined three which 
were perfect, and found two of them Ammodytes Lancea, and one (3-L 
inches long) the Amm. Tobianus : it contained also a full-grown •prawn ; 
in its mouth were some confervce. 
July 1 1th, 1838. — I received a specimen of the Salmo Trutta, 9 inches 
in length and in high condition, from Macpherson’s dam, Old Park, 
near Belfast, where they are said to be numerous. Its roundness on the 
back and greyish green colour, as described by Jardine, are very well 
marked. The person who brought it to me caught similar fish in the 
Lagan last March. Comparing it with the Scotch specimens of the her- 
ling, I see no difference. 
March 31s£, 1846. — I saw several which were taken in Belfast Bay, 
about two miles and a half from town, weighing from two to three pounds 
each. A few are commonly taken in the mullet nets. Mr. Meenan says 
he sometimes gets in one day three or four cwt. One hundred and a half 
is sometimes taken by one boat in a day, — all taken early in the morn- 
ing, before day-break, by drawing the sandy bays. The salmon trout is 
chiefly procured at Donaghadee and Ballywalter, but is met with all 
round the North-East coast. Taken from March till November ; the largest 
weighing fifteen pounds, often ten and twelve pounds ; average size two 
and a half pounds. Great numbers are taken at the Cranagh cuts, Cole- 
raine ; but they do not at any season average more than one pound 
weight. (One of fourteen pounds weight is said to have been taken in 
Commonly called “ White Trout,” or “ Sea Trout.” 
