26 
buli^ETin of the bureau of fisheries. 
In discussing the status of these forms anglers are found to differ considerably 
among themselves. Some distinguish two, three, or more of them, but none has been 
interviewed who recognizes all. Concerning the silver trout, it is difficult to find two 
men who entertain the same opinion. The writer first learned the name “royal silver 
trout” from Mr. Ralph Lowe, of San Jose, who caught a fine specimen and sent it to 
Stanford University. This was followed by another, which was presented to the uni- 
versity by Mr. F. K. Pomeroy, a graduate student in the department of medicine, and 
also by a third, caught by Mr. W. P. Lyon, of San Jose. Each of these was caught 
near Brockway, on the east side of Lake Tahoe. The collection was further enriched 
by another example, which had been sent to Dr. C. H. Gilbert by Mr. Charles A. Vogel- 
sang, the fish having been caught somewhere near Tahoe City. It is with these speci- 
mens representing the royal silver trout that the writer is at present most concerned. 
Ichthyologists themselves have not been altogether unwavering in their discussions 
of Lake Tahoe trout. It seems, however, to be generally admitted that the Tahoe 
trout and silver trout belong to the same species, Salmo henshawi Gill and Jordan. A 
recent examination of an additional number of specimens seems to strengthen that 
conclusion. For the present, at least, the redfish and the Tommy are considered as 
representatives of that species. The royal silver trout is, however, not to be confused 
with 5. henshawi, for it evidently belongs to a distinct and well-characterized species, 
which may hereafter be known as Salmo regalis. This species does not appear to be 
closely related to either the cutthroat trout (S. clarkii, S. henshawi, and others) or the 
rainbow trout (S. irideus). The greenback trout of Pyramid Lake probably belongs 
to the same form. 
Salmo regalis is distinguished above all else by its unusual color. A fresh specimen 
(the writer has not seen a living example) is of a beautiful deep steel blue on the dorsal 
surface, which in some lights seems to be tinted with olive, the blue extending down- 
ward on the sides to about the sixth row of scales above the lateral line, where it 
abruptly gives place to the most brilliant and highly burnished silver. The silver 
sheen grows dull on the ventral surface, the chin, throat, and abdomen being dead white. 
No dark spots are to be seen except on the dorsal and caudal fins, where they are very 
inconspicuous. No red or yellow color is to be found anywhere except on the cheek 
where it glows faintly through the silver. Structurally the species differs from the 
other native trout, 5 . henshawi, in having a shorter head, a shorter and more rounded 
snout, a much smaller maxillary, larger scales, narrower and more pointed fins, per- 
fectly smooth basibranchials without teeth, fewer gillrakers. It differs also in other 
respects, which, together with those enumerated, will appear in the following description : 
Salmo regalis, new species. 
Royal silver trout. 
Head, 4.4 in length to base of caudal; depth, 4; depth caudal peduncle, 9.5; snout, 4.5 in head; 
length of maxillary, 2.1; vertical diameter of eye, 5.8; dorsal rays, ii; anal, ii; longitudinal series of 
scales above lateral line, 144.; in series between lateral line and middle of back, 29; pores in lateral 
line, 120. 
