FISHES. 243 



Ludlow district are among the best Grayling-producing 

 rivers in the kingdom, and anglers travel far, and pay 

 high prices, for the fishing rights in them especially at 

 Leintwardine and the immediate neighbourhood. A 

 characteristic feature of the Grayling is its great dorsal fin, 

 which, if held to the light when the fish is freshly caught, 

 exhibits the most lovely colours. The newly captured 

 Grayling emits a very perceptible odour, not unlike the 

 scent of thyme. Izaac Walton says : " some think 

 that he feeds on water thyme, and smells of it, at his 

 first taking out of the water." 



PIKE, or Jack. The "pet aversion " of the salmon, trout, 

 Esox lucitts. and grayling angler, on account of the 



havoc wrought by him among these 

 fish and their fry ; no river fish being safe from his attacks. 

 Many are the stories told of the voracity of the Pike, for, 

 not content with preying on other fish, he has been 

 known often to devour ducklings, water rats, and any 

 other " small game " he happens to come across. It is 

 known to live to a great age and attain to a weight of 

 3olbs. or more. Pike have greatly increased in the Severn 

 and Vyrnwy of late years unfortunately for the well- 

 being of Trout fisheries in these rivers and in the 

 tributaries. 



Sturgeon. Though a marine fish, the Sturgeon ascends 

 Acipenser sturio. rivers for a considerable distance to 



spawn, and on Sept. i2th, 1802 (Eyton 

 gives the year as 1 799) a fine specimen was caught in the 

 Severn below Shrewsbury Castle, and its skin placed in 

 the Museum. It was 8 feet long and weighed 192 Ibs. 

 The Sturgeon is interesting as belonging to an order of 



