206 
PEAL. 
Gornish fishermen. “In this respect,” says this learned natu- 
ralist, they more resemble the Coregoni, ■which are completely 
gregarious, and also the Herring, to which I believe the 
above-mentioned genus leads. The fish in the Solway very 
seldom reach two pounds in weight upon their first arrival; 
half a pound and three quarters is a common size; afterwards 
the greater proportion average from one pound to a pound 
and a half. One of the most marked appearances of this fish 
is the great proportional breadth of the back, and the peculiar 
greyish green of the upper parts. This colour appears very 
conspicuous when seen before the water has completely ebbed 
from the stake-nets, when the fish swim near the surface, and 
when small Sea Trout are mixed with them the contrast is at 
once perceived. The distribution of this fish in Scotland, as 
far as it can be with certainty traced, is pretty extensive; the 
south and rvest coasts, however, seem to possess the greatest 
abundance. Commencing at the Solway we meet it in great 
abundance as far as the Dee at Kirkcudbright, from thence 
we lose it at Loch Awe, at Loch Etian in Argyleshire, from 
thence it is common along the whole of the west coast;” but 
beyond this the Baronet appears uncertain of its existence. 
A usual length of the Peal is about fourteen inches; the 
general proportions much like those of the Salmon, but the 
head is stouter, and consequently the snout is not so slender; 
the eyes also proportionally larger; the nostrils a little above 
a line drawn from the eye to the snout, while those of the 
Salmon are more directly on that line; the gape less wide; 
sharp teeth in the jaws, mystache, round the palate and along 
the vomer; in the latter a double row, alternate, and complete'’, 
while m the Salmon of moderate age they are often wholly 
or paitly deficient. 'leeth in the tongue strong and hooked 
but commonly not in opposite pairs. Lateral line straight, with 
one hundred and twenty mucous pores. Dorsal fin’ well 
developed, with twelve rays, anal longer than in the Salmon 
ten rays; tail a little waved, while a Salmon of the same size 
has it forked; and even the White Trout of six inches has 
this fin less forked than the Salmon of a foot. Pectoral fin 
round. Gill-covers more oval than in the Salmon; their colour 
pale yellow or bluish, with, shot-like spots. Colour along the 
head and back greyish blue, shining white below, with smaU 
