336 
ZOOLOGY. 
From my own observation while stationed on the northwest coast, and from information received 
from others, I feel justified in pronouncing this an error, as I have seen the adult male while 
fresh run and silvery , with these remarkable characteristics strongly developed months—certainly 
weeks— before the spawning season. It may be, however, as suggested by Dr. Cooper, that 
old males that have in previous seasons entered the rivers for spawning purposes, having 
afterwards recuperated in the salt water, do return with this peculiar formation of the jaws and 
mouth. This subject has, unfortunately, as yet, been but little examined. I was frequently 
told by fishermen, Indians, and others, that the females lack these peculiarities, thus confirming 
Dr. Scouler’s statement. If such is the case it will account for Dr. Cooper’s remark, that “the 
amount of hooking of the nose seemed very much independent of size or season.” In my field- 
notes regarding this species I find the following remarks: “The skotvitz of the Nisquallies, or 
hooked-nosed salmon of the ivhites , is a very common kind. Adult males of this species have 
always, even when in excellent condition and fresh run from the sea, a decurved cartilaginous process 
from the symphisis of the upper maxilla, behind which the point of the lower jaw is received. 
The females (at least when fresh run) are without this appendage. In the absence of the hooked 
snout in the females this species is like the S. hamatus, as described in the annexed quotation. 
The strong teeth found on the intermaxillary protuberance of the male will afford a subject of 
comparison for the field-observer, when comparing the present species with the worn-out males 
of the S. quinnat .” 
In the Fauna B. Americana, Part III, p. 141, Sir John Richardson makes the following- 
remarks upon the Lapland Salmo hamatus, which are interesting in the present connexion 
because thought by him to come nearest to the S. scouleri, (see foot note to page 160 of the 
same volume;) he says: “ As I have not seen an authentic specimen of the Salmo hamatus of the 
Regne Animal, I am unable decidedly to controvert M. Agassiz’ opinion that it is merely a 
nominal species, founded upon a change of form which takes place in the old males of Salmo 
salar; but the evidence I have gleaned from authors induces me to follow Cuvier in considering 
it to be quite distinct.” * * * * * “ The following passage, quoted from the Lachesis 
Lapponica, tends to prove not only the northern range of the Salmo hamatus, but also that the 
hook of the lower jaw is developed even in young fish; but the old males of the common salmon 
that we usually see in the Nith, and some other British rivers, have a comparitively slight hook. 
‘Here,’ in Lulean Lapland, ‘the common salmon is found with the under jaw occasionally 
hooked. I inquired whether this variety was esteemed a distinct species, or whether a difference 
arising from age; both of which questions I was answered in the negative. I was shown a fish 
of the smallest size, which had in proportion as large a hook to the lotver jaio as the largest. I 
inquired whether the hooked salmon were furnished with roe or milt. I was answered that they 
had always milt. On opening seven of them I found this verified; whereas four salmon which 
were not hooked had roes. The hooked or male salmon is so called because the point of its 
lower jaw is bent inward and has a taper form, resembling a finger, while, on the contrary, the 
upper one is formed with a cavity to receive the point, embracing it like a sheath for about 
half its length.’ ” 
When worn out, all specimens have the hooked snout, but in the female I judge that this is 
only owing to the absorption of the fatty cushions along the upper jaw, whereas in the male the 
original characteristic is exaggerated by emaciation. The skoiuitz is a very abundant species, 
and affords, in fact, the principal salmon harvest to the natives, who dry vast quantities for 
winter consumption. This species commences to run up the fresh water streams emptying into 
