The sun., 1919-06-29
VISION OF TROUT
HIGHLY ORGANIZED
Sense Of Hearing Dependent
Upon Conclusion and
Vibration.
FEEDING HABITS OF FISH
Often Deny Themselves Sus-
tenance Over Considerable
Periods Of Time.
HABITS OF FISH
ny TAMARACK.

not vision and color perception are
highly developed In trout. the idea ably
presented by Ladd Plumley in answer to
the theory anent color blindness men,
toned by 'Cardigan" is supported by
biologic analogy
For the purpose of bringing out this
analogy take the senses In the deer and
types Of many. hearing and scent are of
high organization. Evolution has ef-
fected these keen senses as part OF the
scheme OF survival of the species. With
out acuteness OF nose and ear the deer
and the fox would not survive. In deer
eyesiEht Is OF lesser development--dee
are not remarkably sharp sighted And
In the fox. which we are wont to endow
with uncanny powers, the eyes are of
secondary Importance. and therefore are
inferior in development to the senses Of
smell and hearing.
Among fishes. the brook trout being
taken as a type there IL a reversal in the
order OF the faculties from the forego-
ing, due to the difference in habitat and
consequent requirements. II Is a law Of
biology that organs which cease to per-
form functions become rudlmentary or
even disappear entirely; where function
is slowly passing through retrograde
stages present condition, anatomical
and sensory, commensurate with the
needs OF the parts prevails.
Eyes and Ears Alert.
In water the conductlvity of sound
waves differs In its operation from that
OF the air; hearing is modified TO con-
form to the existing medium and prob
ably becomes more n faculty directed
TO conclusion and vibration. And be-
cause of watery abode the sensations
OF taste and smell In fishes are not Of a
high order.
In consequence OF this transposition OF
faculties the main reliance for continued
existence in fishes Is placed upon highly
organized vision and what answers for
hearing. Such being the case the sight
and the modified reception OF sound logi-
cally correspond to the sensitive nostril
and the quick ear OF deer and of fox.
The Jar Of bog. the craunch of stone
the thump on the creekside bank are sa.
gactously interpreted The aiinkins
progress of mink. the plunge of a
burly turtle. the sinuous approach of a
snake, the dive of heron and of king
hsher-at times the swishing movement
! shadows before, announce to alert or.
gans of hearing and sight the imminenct
OF the enemies with which the life Of
trout ever is beset and cause the scurrS
to the ready places OF refuge
Protective Celebration of Prey.
Were trout devoid OF good eyesigh
and Of color divination they would YEA
! themselves out in useless rising to for
| eign plrticles borne down upon tn,
: Hood above them. and they would grinC
| away their shouts at bottom rs we'll To-
protective coloration OF prey which call.
for sharp differentiation Is provided fol
in waters no less than on the soil.
Conversely fishes adapted through
the ages to an environment like tina
or the Mammoth Give OF Kentucky hav
undergone structural and functiona
| changes evolved out OF their habitat
the negligible vision being compensate,
for in augmented hearing and olfactor,
| sensation.
Hence that trout are capable Of dis
tinSuishing objects and colors is born
| out by consideration OF their natura
history. In entering the field or trou
psychology. however. we find ourselve
bewildered by popular speculation VIII
do trout rise to a fly to-day, or parts O
| to-day. and decline to rise tomorrow
And perhaps for several succeedin
days? Why do trout reject this ny an
av!dly take that fly?
We all have had experiences hinge,
upon such circumstances. and we ar
prone to interpret the experiences in tn
light Of preconceived notions. But on
swallow does not make a summer, no
does individual conception afford a so
luton OF the problem, for we are no
sufficiently advanced in our knowledg
Of the instincts Of trout to enable US [
render an Interpretation.
Trout and Reptiles Compared.
That trout in common with all fishe
share with reptiles the habit OF deny
ing themselves sustenance over consid
cradle periods is a deep rooted oplnio
OF many old fishermen. Why this is $
Il beyond our ken; when we ascertai
the reason for It the uncertainties G
angling will largely have been mastered
This much we do know! In trout III
instructive craving OF an empty stomac
and the cali OF the cells for replensl
ment are the governing factors whe
trout do enter upon the feed. Smell an
taste in trout counting for little, quar-
tity Is more OF an inclination than
quality: trout whose alimentary sy,
TEN is gorged with batrachians has |
, all likelihood derived as much gratifcs
ton Of taste in gulping down this lowl
form Of feed as though grubs or waite
larv@ or winged insects had furnishe
his meal.
} With these considerations In mind
cannot bring myself to believe that trol
are so aesthetic OF appetite that the
will refuse TO rise TO n male artificial (,
while the natural female OF the speci,
alone Is abroad, or that trout as an o
binary practice will take one pattern ,
imitation fly TO the exclusion OF a
others.
} My think housing has had cramme
J into II many times over years numerol
plausible theories OF weightier momen
, and as often I've had 10 clean out II
rubbish. am tired OF learning thing
, only in tho end to have to unleaSn 'er
} So mo for simple ways-Tll hang on
my threadbare old standby. which a
ways rides the stream wing and wir
: on an even keel.
, Only One Deer Complaint.
Permission for fruit growers an
. other farmers OF Duchess County