BRITISH FRESH-WATER FISHES 



to a few parts of Southern Scotland. It claims kinship 



with the Salmonidce Family, and the scientific name of 



Thymallus — thyme — has been conferred because of the 



delicate flavour of the white flesh resembling the aromatic 



herb mentioned. It is a beautiful silvery fish, and is 



characterised by the long and rounded dorsal fin, bearing 



from 20 to 25 rays. It has gentler habits than its cousin, 



the Trout, quietly searching for insects at the surface 



without any attempt at showing oflF. It revels in a clear 



fast-flowing stream, and whilst waters that shelter 



Grayling also contain Trout, all waters that hold Trout 



do not also hold Grayling. At times, it resorts to the 



shallows, but the angler knows full well that the big fish 



must be sought for in the deep pools. It is said to 



perpetrate harm by consuming the spawn of Trout, but 



it also takes molluscs, shrimps, the larvae of insects, etc. 



It spawns from March to May on a shallow gravel-bed, 



the eggs being laid in a depression made by the fish. 



These hatch out in about fourteen days. The Grayling 



comes into request when the Trout is out of season, and is 



then much sought after by the disciple of Izaak Walton. 



Silvery-grey and white are the dominant colours on the 



sides and under parts, with greenish-brown, or purplish, 



along the back. The dorsal fin is barred with several 



rows of bluish-black spots, and as a rule there are 



some of these on the sides of the body. The name 



Grayling (it is also called the Umber) has been accorded 



because of the greyish colour. The maximum weight 



in Britain is 4 to 5 pounds. 

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