British reptiles, amphibians, and fresh-water fishes . tch out in about fourteen days. The Graylingcomes into request when the Trout is out of season, and isthen much sought after by the disciple of Izaak and white are the dominant colours on thesides and under parts, with greenish-brown, or purplish,along the back. The dorsal fin is barred with severalrows of bluish-black spots, and as a rule there aresome of these on the sides of the body. The nameGrayling (it is also called the Umber) has been accordedbecause of the greyish colour. The rxiaximum weightin Britain is 4 to
British reptiles, amphibians, and fresh-water fishes . tch out in about fourteen days. The Graylingcomes into request when the Trout is out of season, and isthen much sought after by the disciple of Izaak and white are the dominant colours on thesides and under parts, with greenish-brown, or purplish,along the back. The dorsal fin is barred with severalrows of bluish-black spots, and as a rule there aresome of these on the sides of the body. The nameGrayling (it is also called the Umber) has been accordedbecause of the greyish colour. The rxiaximum weightin Britain is 4 to 5 SMELT AND EEL Smelt,—Osmerus eperlanus (Fig. 39). Also known asthe Sparling. This small species rarely attains a lengthof more than 12 inches, and 8 ounces in weight. Itmoves about in shoals, and is a voracious feeder. Thescales are transparent, and the silver colour is relievedwith olive-green along the back. The Smelt visits freshwater for spawning purposes early in the Spring, andthere are a few land-locked waters where it appears to. \mS do well all round the year. It is a valuable fish for feeds upon other fishes, as well as shrimps, worms, andaquatic creatures of various kinds. The yellow eggs areshed promiscuously, and become attached to any objectswith which they happen to come into contact. Theeggs hatch in 7 to 21 days, and the young visit the seafor the first time when ready to look after themselves,paying their first return visit to fresh water the succeed-ing Spring. They commence to be egg-producers whenabout three years old. The word Smelt is apparentlyderived from the Anglo-Saxon Smeolt, meaning smoothand shining. Eel.—Anguilla vulgaris (Fig. 40). This interesting species acts in an exactly reverse way to the Salmon, as 75 BRITISH FRESH-WATER FISHES it makes its way to the deep sea for the purpose ofspawning, and when that all-important operation is overthe adult Eel dies. Whilst it is stated that the femaleexceeds the male in size (the f
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, booksubject, booksubjectreptiles
