BLUE POLL. 
221 
We are informed that the female Blue Cocks are often sold 
for Salmon, and both sexes are highly valued for the table. 
A female fish, which had spawned, was taken with a fly on 
the 4th. of March; and when first hooked it is its habit to 
leap out of the water, as the Peal is known to do, but contrary 
to the custom of the Salmon. The example here referred to 
measured fourteen inches and a half in length, which seems to 
be about the usual size; the form slender, depth in front ol 
the dorsal fin two inehes and five eighths; gape considerable, 
teeth in the vomer, and otherwise as in others of this family 
From the snout to the border of the hindmost gill-cover three 
inches and six eighths. Eye large, nostrils close together. On 
the border of the second gill-cover a mark as if serrated; the 
whole head rather stout in proportion to the body. The dorsal 
fin begins six inches and three eighths from the snout, with 
fourteen rays, the first very short, the third longest, last rays 
extended; anal eleven; ventrals nine; tail a little concave, with 
twenty rays, with a row of eleven or twelve short side ravs; 
termination of the body at the tail a little crenate. Lateral 
line with ducts of which 1 was able to count one hundred and 
twelve. Colour of the back blue, light on the top of the head, 
green on the checks, a yellowish portion behind the eye; eye 
golden; brilliant white on the sides and belly; dorsal fin greenish 
pale blue; border of the adipose fin slight red; spots on tire 
sides and dorsal fin not well defined; larger spots on the 
hindmost gill-cover, very small behind the eye. Air bladder of 
good size, posteriorly attached to the vent, and forward 
lengthened to the gullet, where it opens with a visible aperture, 
as in others of the genus. The skin much tougher than in the 
Peal. In another example, which appears to have lately spawned, 
there was no tint of green; brilliant blue on the hindmost part 
of the head; dorsal fin rays twelve. It differs from the Peal 
in being more slender, the eye larger, the open nostril nearer 
the eye than to the snout, contrary to what is found in the 
Peal; pectoral fin longer and not so wide. 
