60 THE SALMON. 



It is not so ; he is full of his subject, not of himself : 

 and seems to have as keen a feeling for the honour, 

 dignity, and especially the independence of the grilse, as 

 he could have were that interesting fish a sept of the 

 Clan Mackenzie. But if he had had somewhat better 

 evidences of his doctrines, he would certainly have suc- 

 ceeded in setting fire to one of the theories of our natur- 

 alists, and to many of the acts of our legislators. To say 

 nothing of the interest attaching to the question as one 

 involving some very curious facts in natural history, it is 

 important to know whether our legislators have been here 

 all along proceeding on an erroneous assumption taking 

 for granted that they were dealing with one species of 

 fish, when they really were operating upon two distinct 

 species, having different habits, especially different seasons, 

 and therefore, to some extent, requiring different legislative 

 treatment. It is certain that Mr. Mackenzie has found 

 room to raise doubts chiefly, however, by the use of 

 positive and plausible statements, in opposition to what 

 has hitherto been the popular, if not unanimous belief ; 

 and to support these with an ingenuity which in some 

 cases succeeds in at least perplexing, and in refusing to 

 be set aside by mere off-hand denial. Still we are not 

 disposed to like the mode in which he has conducted his 

 argument, and we are disposed, having doubtless been 

 predisposed, to dispute his conclusions. The form in 

 which he proceeds is the dangerous one of dialogue. A 

 friend named " H." is allowed to indulge in mild sug- 

 gestions in favour of the old orthodoxy, and then " M.," 

 as is the manner of Highland gentlemen, replies with 

 great heat and vigour, dirking his inoffensive antagonist 



