GRAYLING. 168 



Downton, than in other parts of the river ; 

 for above, the stream is too rapid and shal- 

 low to be favourable to their increase ; and 

 below, it is joined by other streams, and 

 becomes too abundant in coarse fish. 



Poiet. — I cannot understand why the 

 grayling should be so scarce a fish in 

 England. It is abundant in many dis- 

 tricts on the continent ; but in this island it 

 is found, I believe, only in a few rivers, and 

 does not exist, I think, either in Ireland or 

 Scotland. Yet being an Alpine fish, and 

 naturally fond of cool water, it might have 

 been expected among the Highlands. 



Hal. — I formerly used to account for this 

 by supposing it an imported fish, and not 

 indigenous ; but, in some of my continental 

 excursions, I have seen it living only under 

 such peculiar circumstances, that I doubt 

 the correctness of this my early opinion. 



Poiet. — Which was, I conclude, that it 

 was introduced by the monks, in the time 

 when England was under the See of Rome. 

 As a favourite fish of St. Ambrose it was 

 worth cultivating, as well as for its own 



m 2 



