century, very good hooks were sold.


_Variety in Trout._

_Phys._--Tell us why they are so different from the river-trout, or why
there should be two species or varieties in the same water.--_Hal._ Your
question is a difficult one, and it has already been referred to in a
former conversation; but I shall repeat what I stated before, that
qualities occasioned by food, peculiarities of water, &c. are transmitted
to the offspring, and produce varieties which retain their characters as
long as they are exposed to the same circumstances, and only slowly lose
them. Plenty of good food gives a silvery colour and round form to fish,
and the offspring retain these characters. Feeding on shell-fish thickens
the stomach, and in many generations, probably, the gillaroo trout becomes
so distinct a variety, as to render it doubtful if it be not a distinct
species. Even these smallest salmon trout have green backs, _only_ black
spots, and silvery bellies; from which it is evident that they are the
offspring of lake trout, or _lachs forelle_, as it is called by the
Germans; whilst the river trout, even when 4 or 5 lbs., as we see in one
of these fish, though in excellent season, have red spots.


_Char._

_Phys._ The char[1] is a most beautiful and excellent fish, and is, of
course, a fish of prey. Is he not an object of sport to the angler?--_Hal.
_ They generally haunt deep, cool lakes, and are seldom found at the
surface till late in the autumn. When they are at the surface they will,
however, take either fly or minnow. I have known some caught in both these