FISHES. 383 
marked with numerous black spots ; and the tail is broadest 
at the end. It is said that in the beginning of summer the 
flesh of this fish begins to redden, and holds this colour till 
the month of August; which circumstance is very probably 
owing to their being on the point of spawning. Like the 
salmon, this fish is an inhabitant of the sea ; but in the 
months of November and December it enters the rivers, 
in order to deposit its roe ; and consequently, in the 
spawning season, it is occasionally found in lakes and 
streams, at a great distance from the sea. It is very deli- 
cate, and much esteemed on our table ; but, as it contains 
a great deal of fat, it ought to be dressed as soon as pos- 
sible, for it would soon become putrid. Some people 
prefer this fish to salmon ; but they are both apt to cause 
illness when eaten in too great a quantity. 
THE TROUT. (Salmo farlo.) 
As the Trout in speckled pride, 
Playful from its bosom springs, 
To the banks a ruffled tide 
Verges in successive rings. 
CUNNINGHAM. 
THIS fish, in figure, resembles the salmon; it has a short 
roundish head, and a blunt snout. Trouts are fresh water 
fish, and they breed and live constantly in small rivers, 
the transparent stream of which frets along upon the 
clean pebbles and beds of sand that lie at the bottom of 
the water. 
