Colouration of Trout. 225 know, is piscis integer et innocens as regards those disgusting parasites.* Thus The effects of LIGHT on the colouring of fishes are wellknown, and doubtless the denizens of the Canadian rivers must be materially influenced in these respects, seeing that the fresh waters are hermetically sealed for nearly half the year, whereby, moreover, we are debarred from knowing what may be going on in relation to their migratory movements. Indeed, I have frequently noticed in brooks and rivers free from obstructions, that the trout is far more highly and brightly coloured, and in better condition, than the same species inhabiting waters shut off from the sea by impassable waterfalls or artificial obstructions. This is so very apparent that every one experienced in Canadian. trout fishing can at once make out the difference. the more rapid the stream and the less shaded by forest, with a pebbly bottom, the more brilliantly and clearly coloured are its fishes; moreover, this is so conspicuous as regards the brook trout, that the red-bellied variety was at one time considered to be a very good species.† In fact, the more one sees of fishes in nature, the more it becomes apparent that by trusting to colouring and other external characters, influenced by locality and seasonal changes, there is a certainty of falling into the grave error of proclaiming objects as distinct species which are only varieties. I am sadly afraid many naturalists in their zeal do delight in "species manufacturing," and care little for what the future may disclose, when the "truth will out," and all their beautiful species must cease to be considered other than forms of what had been described previously. In no branch of Natural History is this more apparent than among fishes, and especially the * Dr. Holmes, in the Maine Report before quoted, speaks of a species of caligus which infests the scales of this trout. I looked for it particularly, but failed in discovering the parasite. Perhaps it is peculiar to the lake life of the fish, and disappears when the latter enters the rapid streams in June, which to the above is seemingly as the sea is to the salmon. "Natural History of New York," vol. iii., p. 236, pl. 39, fig. 136. Q family salmonida, which at present contains several hundred species. I have dwelt at length on the natural history of the silvery salmon trout, not only on account of the scientific interest in connection with the appearance and habits of a rare and very little known fish, but also with the view of attracting more attention to its presence, in hopes that, through the efforts of the pisciculturist, it may yet find its way into the lakes and rivers of the Old World, as I am informed by Mr. Boardman it is now flourishing in the New Hampshire waters, into which it was introduced some years since. A lake fed or drained by rapid rivers is its favourite resort at present, although I believe this condition has resulted more or less from the pressure of circumstances, and that the fish originally pursued habits similar to its close allies the Canadian and European sea trouts, from which it differs in some characters, which entitle it to be considered a salmon trout distinct from any of the others. At the same time it recommends itself to the notice of all followers of Walton, for, indeed, any old fisherman's heart will beat audibly on witnessing the spring of this fine fish when struck; then I have seen it toss itself fully four feet out of water, and at the Grand Lake Stream sluice I watched an individual stem a powerful torrent for several minutes.* It is rather remarkable that no one has yet established specific distinctions between the so-called SEA TROUTS of northeast America and the well-known European fishes of the same name. There is a very poor drawing and meagre description in Cuvier's great work of a sea trout sent to him from Canada by Colonel Hamilton Smith, and to which he has given the name of Salmo Canadensis. This is the more to be In the Madawaska, one of the rivers draining off the contents of the great lakes near the sources of the St. John, I was told that there is a "silvery sided pigmy salmon, or small grilse," which the French settlers name the "pointeur," from its aptitude to jump at bait or fly, but whether it be this fish or not, I do not know. Sea Trouts generally. 227 wondered at seeing that sea trouts are abundant on the eastern Atlantic shore from Maine to Newfoundland, and I regret I cannot in any way, from personal observation, clear up this strange hiatus in the natural history of a common fish. Mr. Perley, not only a fisherman of much practical experience, but also an observer of the appearances of fishes, considered the sea trout of Canada as being identical with the Salmo trutta of Europe; but I doubt very much if he looked deeper than a few external appearances; at the same time it will not surprise me should his opinion be confirmed; indeed, as far as written descriptions and accounts of the habits of the fish extend, there is a very decided resemblance between the Old and New World species. Dr. Gilpin† gives a minute account of the Sea Trout found in the rivers and salt waters of Nova Scotia. I perceive, moreover, in comparing Dr. Gilpin's description of Salmo Canadensis with S. Rossii of Richardson, that there is again a decided resemblance. I shall point out again presently how the sea-run brook trout is often mistaken for this species; indeed, in some of the rivers on the north-eastern shore of New Brunswick, to wit, Tabucintac, incredible numbers are captured by the settlers, who consider they are taking the BROOK TROUT. But the important question comes to be, is there any connection between it and the silvery salmon trout just described? Is the latter a land-locked variety of the former? Mr. Wheelright § observes that the sea trout of north-western Europe gets land-locked, and individuals in consequence never visit the sea. It would be exceedingly curious and instructive to show whether or not the changes in Salmo Gloveri admit of contrast with Salmo Canadensis, so far that by natural selection we could safely allow it to be a variety of the other, more especially as I have pointed out that the anatomical characters common to both as established by one of the most competent of living ichthyologists, indicate that a very Faun. Bor. Amer.," p. 163. Op. cit., p. 197. + Op. cit., p. 84. 1866. § "Spring and Summer in Lapland." close and specific relationship does exist. I have, moreover, a strong conviction that the so-called Salmo Canadensis will turn out to be specifically identical with Salmo trutta, or else there is more than one species in the cis-Atlantic waters. As to the sporting qualities of the former, although it was not my fortune to capture it in the main rivers and briny deep, I have the descriptions of several fishermen vivid in my thoughts; and there is also the record of two, whose practical experience may be accepted by those who may desire to indulge in the exciting sport. "The sportsman will find it a thoroughly game fish, rising well at a brilliant fly of scarlet ibis and gold (in June), and affording sport second only to salmon fishing. writer has caught this fish with the scarlet ibis fly in the water of the Nuf, at the entrance of St. Peter's Bay, on the north side of Prince Edward Island, to the weight of five pounds; but the most sporting fishing is from a boat under easy sail, with a 'mackerel breeze,' and oftentimes a heavy 'ground swell.' The fly skips from wave to wave at the end of thirty yards of line, and there should at least be seventy yards more on the reel. It is truly splendid sport, as a strong fish will oftentimes make a long run, and give a sharp chase down the wind."* The Frank Forrester, in his "Fish and Fishing," calls it "royal sport;" moreover, a friend informed me that on the northeastern shore of this province, in July, himself and two other fishermen landed no less than 400 sea trout in one day with the fly, from the waters of the river Tabucintac, which flows into a gully of the same name, famous, as before stated, as one of the best wild-fowl shooting-grounds, and where, in the beginning of October, abundance of wild geese and ducks are readily obtained. Perley, op. cit., p. 199. River and Brook Trouts of Canada. 229 CHAPTER X. The Brook Trout of North America, and its Varieties-Trout Fishing, and Game Qualities of the Brook Trout-Lake Trouts of Boreal America-The Mackinau Salmon or Namaycush, or Great Trout of the Lakes-The Siscowet-The Togue-Distribution, Haunts, and Distinctions of the Species-Lake Trout Fishing-Smelt of North America-Capelin-White Fishes-Shads-Cusk-Alewive-Striped Bass Fishing Perches and Lake Bass-Sturgeon Fisheries-Lamprey-Cat Fish-Eels-American Hake-Marine Fishes. HE BROOK TROUT of North America is what naturalists THE call a good species; nevertheless it is being constantly confounded on the Atlantic seaboard of Canada with the sea trout, with which it is frequently found; but the shortness of the intermaxillaries (page 230, h), and the length and narrowness of the labials (g) are very characteristic. Indeed this ready method of characterizing the fish is worthy of the especial attention of persons in the way of procuring these salmonoids, inasmuch as Europeans are constantly confounding the one with the other during the migratory seasons, when each is on its way from or to the ocean. The brook trout is further distinguishable in the following particulars: the labial (g) is four times larger than the intermaxillary, extending for some distance behind the orbit; its crest () is thin and sharp on its upper edge, and differs consequently from the sea trouts of both Europe and America, as well as the brook trout of the former, which has a much broader crest and labial. Again, the distance from the tip of the snout to the extremity of the labial equals the length of |