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 FISHES prior to 1894 (J. R. B. Masefield, Trans. N. Staff. Field Club, 1894). Above Tutbury Bridge is a very favourite spawning ground, but owing to the many obstructions on the way the salmon are late in reaching it, and seldom arrive in good con- dition. Here in December 1853 many were shot and speared (Nat. Hist, of Tutbury, p. 64). The largest fish of which I can find any record is that mentioned by Sir O. Mosley as being caught at Dove Cliflf which weighed 32 Ib. One of 25 Ib. was taken in 1842 at Donington Cliff (J. J. Briggs, Zoologist, 1843, P- 25. Brown Trout. Salmo trutta, Linn., var. fario, Linn. Derbyshire has long been famous for its trout, which however vary much in appear- ance according to the locality from which they are taken. As a general rule fish from clear, stony or gravelly streams are brightly marked, whereas those from muddy waters are dingy - looking and sometimes almost black. In the Trent the trout are as a rule few and small. In the lower reaches of the Dove they are of good size with pinkish flesh, but not numerous, while on the upper reaches they are very common, and range higher than grayling, being found even in the tiny brook- lets which flow from the moorlands. In the Derwent and its tributaries their distribution is somewhat similar, except that the polluted state of the river has driven them from be- low Little Eaton. In size trout vary considerably. A large trout is exceedingly destructive to the smaller fish in his immediate neighbourhood. He is however as a rule very sedentary in his habits, and appears unwilling to leave his haunt, even when the food supply begins to fail. In con- sequence of this characteristic many of the largest trout are found to be in poor condi- tion when taken. The largest fish of which I can find any record is one which is referred to by Glover as having been caught in the Via Gellia. This fish is said to have weighed 14 Ib. The same writer also gives particulars of a trout which exceeded 7^ Ib. by i^ oz., and measured 25^ inches in length and 14 inches in girth. It was caught in September 1828 in the Lathkill. A 7^ Ib. trout was taken near Woodeaves on the Bentley brook about 1876. At the Royal Oak, Hanging Bridge, is preserved a fine trout which was taken in the adjoining river Dove in June 1889. This fish scaled over 7$ Ib. On May II, 1901, a trout weighing 6 Ib. 14 oz., length 24 inches, girth 14 inches, was caught in the Derwent at Mat- lock Bath by Mr. W. King ; and a six- pounder was taken in the Noe between Hope and Brough in July 1899. [Of late years Loch Leven trout (S. trutta, var. levenensis) have been introduced into the Trent, Dove and Derwent. In the Trent they have been taken up to 4^ Ib., but are under protection as yet, and are returned to the water.] [The American rainbow trout (S. irideus, var. shasta) has been introduced in various places. Some were turned into the Trent near Shardlow, others into the upper Dove ; and about 1899 some were put into the Derwent above Hathersage, and appear to be doing well.] 26. Grayling. Thymallus vexillifer, Linn. Yarrell Thymallus vulgaris. Another characteristic inhabitant of our Derbyshire streams, which have been famous for grayling since the days of Walton and Cotton. At the present time they are found in considerable numbers in the Dove, Wye and Derwent. Unlike the trout, they are not to be found in the head waters of these streams, nor are they as a rule to be found in the Trent except near its junction with the Dove. On the Dovedale, Okeover and Birds- grove waters trout and grayling are about equal in numbers ; below this the trout de- crease in numbers, and there is a correspond- ing increase in the number of grayling, until the latter outnumber the former by about ten to one. In the Derwent grayling are scarce above Bamford weir, and, as far as I am aware, are never found above Ashopton. Grayling do not vary in size nearly so much as trout. According to Glover (Hist, of the County of Derby, i. 169) they have been taken up to 4 Ib. weight. One taken with the fly near the junction of the Dove and Manifold in 1878 weighed 3^ Ib., and 3 Ib. fish have several times been taken in the Dove. Mr. E. Brown confirms this (Fauna of Burton, p. 117), 'It is sometimes taken weighing 3 Ib.' Such fish are however ex- ceptional, very few exceeding 2 Ib. in weight. APODES 27. Eel. Anguilla vulgaris, Turt. Very common in the Trent ; a fair num- ber are to be found in the lower part of the Dove, and a few on the upper part of the river. On the Derwent they are found as