28< 



GRAYLING. 



This condition of exposure might seem to lay open the 

 treasure to the depredations of a multitude of devourers; but 

 observers have affirmed that at this time other fishes have left 

 that neighbourhood, and it is possible that the Graylings, with 

 their numbers, may have driven them aAvay, as we know is the 

 case with at least some assemblages of sea-fishes; which, without 

 any obvious reason or influence, and as it appears solely by 

 their presence, have expelled from a neighbourhood others not 

 less individually strong. In the act of shedding the roe a 

 female is attended with two or three males; and the eggs are 

 not long in passing through the changes of development, so 

 that Sir H. Davy remarks, about the end of July or beginning 

 of August the young fishes are four or five inches long, and 

 "sport merrily at a fly." Their growth after this is also 

 speedy, so that about October they have attained to more than 

 half the size they ever reach. 



According to Nilsson, the Grayling, which is one of the 

 commonest of the Scandinavian fishes, is met with in the North 

 Sea, Cattegat, and Baltic, from which they come up into most 

 of the rivers and lakes; and in Lapland they are taken in the 

 high fell lakes, even so large as to weigh eight or nine pounds; 

 a bulk which of itself is sufficient to raise a doubt of its being 

 the same species with our own. In the Baltic they commonly 

 weigh about two pounds, with a length of eighteen inches; 

 which form the usual dimensions of an English fish. Some of 

 these Swedish fishes remain all the year in fresh water, and 

 some also are found in the Baltic at all seasons; (from which 

 it would appear that they do not all spawn at the ordinary 

 period;) which in that county is somewhat various, and ranges 

 from the middle of October to the middle of December; after 

 which they return to deeper water for the winter. In the 

 spring they pass up the rivers in schools, at the time when 

 the leaves are shooting out. 



Uniform testimony is borne to the excellency of this fish for 

 the table; and it is therefore fished for by those who consider 

 the exercise as most successful when a large supply is obtained; 

 and when a net is employed this is sometimes in great abundance. 

 It is valued most highly in October and November, but is not 

 long out of season, and therefore where it is met Avith it is 

 always welcome. 



