COMMON TROUT. 
337 
fishermen on the Laxford term this variety the Loch Trout, and 
distinguish it from “the commonly marked Trout of the river,” 
and also that the osteology of the head of the larger specimens 
differs from the other Trout of that river, we might suppose 
it a distinct species. 
In the male Trout we always find the head in front of the 
eyes more lengthened out than in the female, and in full-grown 
fish of both sexes the tail is often nearly straight. In some 
rivers also the head is remarkably round and blunt, but we 
have usually supposed the species to be the same when within a 
limited range; in other particulars the adipose fin is bordered 
with red, and the only example of a doubtful kind within our 
knowledge was in the large examples from the pools in 
Luxulian already mentioned. But how great a change may be 
caused by circumstances appears from the Trout of the Loe 
Pool, near Helstone, in Cornwall. This fish is mentioned by 
the local historian Dr. Borlase, and had long been celebrated 
for its size, beauty, and excellency. Perhaps its size has been 
exaggerated, but I have been favoured by John P. Rogers, 
Esq., M.P., the proprietor of this lake, with the sketch of an 
example, a drawing of which was taken on account of its size 
and appearance when caught in fishing with a fly, in the year 
1774; and which measured along the curve of the body twenty- 
eight inches in length, and sixteen inches in girth, with the 
weight of eight pounds and three ounces. I possess also a 
coloured drawing of an example of much less size, but taken 
several years since, when the fish was in its principal excellency; 
and from these evidences I find that the form was that which 
is most admired in the Trout, with the head small, the back 
elevated, and the whole appearance plump. The colour a rich 
pink on the sides, deeper on the back; the flesh like that of 
the Salmon, and for the table in the highest esteem, as may 
be concluded from the fact that so long ago as the time of 
the Saxon King Athelstan it was deemed worthy of royal notice, 
so that land was held by the tenure of keeping a boat on this 
lake for the royal amusement. And this reputation of the 
Loepool Trout continued until within a few years, when a change 
passed over it, and the water and filth from a tin mine was 
permitted to flow into it; first with the effect of diminishing 
the proper food of the fish, and then reducing it to the 
