^ è
4 R
l à
SALMO FEROX.
G R E A T LAKE TROUT.
esignalion was appUed by myself and Mr. Selby, had been long i)reviously
wrilors i but it was, at tlie same time, confounded mth the large Troiits of
THE large Trout to which the ahove
known, and incidentally mentioned
aw laies of central Europe, nnd the dislinguishing characters between it and Salmo Fario had not then been pointed out.
In the north of Scotiimd it occurs in many of the larger lochs; but, at the same time, it is rather local in its haunts.
In form it is generally shorter proportionally, and deeper than large species of Salmo Fario. The dorsal lin contaius
fifteen rays, and appears to be constant in Umt number; in the form of the scaling it diflei's inateriaUy from its congener,
and the external epidermis is always strong and tough, the scales being therefore not easily deciduous.
I j i e the Common Trout, it is subject to difference in colour and markings, but not to so great an extent; and the
fish represented on the accompanying Plate is given as a remarkable variety, and not as the true state of the species. Two
specimens were tiiken, during the month of June, in Loch Layghal, in Sutherlandshire, nearly of equal size and similar
colours. The condiUon was not high, but in shape they agreed with those taken in Lochawe, Loch Ran.ioch, Loch
Assj-nt, &c. Both were thickly spotted over on every part of the body with numerous black spots, which contrasted strongly
with the yellowish-white tint of the lower part. In ordinary states the spots vary in size and number, but they seldom ex-
lend fai' below the lateral hne ; and tlie colours of the liigh-coi
extremely rich and beautiful, and harmonizes with the marking.
s will be shewn o r future Plates, i!