File:British reptiles, amphibians, and fresh-water fishes (1920) (14595964309).jpg

Identifier: britishreptilesa00west (find matches)
Title: British reptiles, amphibians, and fresh-water fishes
Year: 1920 (1920s)
Authors: Westell, W. Percival (William Percival), 1874-1937
Subjects: Reptiles Amphibians Freshwater fishes
Publisher: (London) : Chapman & Dodd
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries

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the centre as the orange yolk darkens, and theeyes of the little fish that is in process of developmentsoon appear. Later, there are still further changes until, atlast, the young fry, or alevin as it is called, bursts throughits covering, with the yolk-sac adhering to its belly asshown in Fig. 34. The contents of this latter keep thelittle fellow going for some few days. Meanwhile it isexperimenting with its swimming capacities, and develop-ing in other ways. Once the reserve food is used up,however, the perfect alevin has, of necessity, to shift foritself. Numerous enemies beset it, but if it survives itcommences to feed upon various water creatures, such asinsects, molluscs, and shrimps. But it takes time beforeany perceptible increase of stature is manifest as, at a yearold, the young Trout has only attained a length of afew inches. A year-old Trout is shown life-size in Fig.36. Brook, or Burn Trout as they may be called, do not grow to any size, indeed many of them are not much70
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f ■PO h Q < Q CO TROUT AND CHAR larger when several years old than the one shown inFig. 36. Of these I have caught as many as 60 in oneday in a sequestered glen in the glorious Island of Arran.Although so small these little fish afford quite goodsport, being strong-willed and very tenacious. As arule, Trout spawn in late Autumn. When that wondrousepisode, the rise of the Mayfly, takes place, many a cool-bellied Trout has the feast of his life. The momentaryairy creatures soon fall upon the surface of the waterto the dance of death, and whilst being borne down-stream, wary old fish that have carried out a similarproceeding in years gone by, just wait and watch theiropportunity. As long as the flight lasts the Trout havea right royal time, as also the Swallows which are alsoattracted to the feast. Whilst some Trout are silver,light-yellow, greenish, or even purple in ground colour,others are very dark, almost black. Others, probablyold warriors who have seen their best days, take o

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