CHAP, iv.] THE ENGLISH LAKES. 153 



skins. Exquisite dishes for fastidious gourmets can be con- 

 cocted from their milts, and choice ornaments can be formed 

 out of their scales. The sea-perch, as it is called (the basse), 

 may be mentioned here. Some varieties of it are very plenti- 

 ful on the coast of America, where they grow to a large size, 

 and are much esteemed for their flavour. Another variety of 

 the perch is the common pike-perch, which might be acclimat- 

 ised with advantage in our seas, where it is at present un- 

 known. It is common in the Danube and the Elbe, as also in 

 the Caspian and Black Seas. It is a fish that grows rapidly 

 and attains a considerable weight, and its flesh is most agree- 

 able. It is surprising that no pains are taken to acclimatise 

 new varieties of fish in Britain, although it could be easily 

 accomplished. There is, for instance, the black basse of the 

 Huron, which might be advantageously introduced ; and there 

 are many other fishes, both of the salt and fresh water, which 

 would flourish in this country and add to our commissariat. 

 I have chronicled in another place the introduction of the 

 Silurus glanis, and I would have been only too glad to have 

 recorded the introduction of a dozen other fish. 



As I have said so much about the Scottish lochs, it would 

 be but fair to say a few words about those of England ; but in 

 good honest truth it would be superfluous to descant at the 

 present day on the beauties of Windermere, or the general 

 lake scenery of Cumberland and Westmorland : it has been 

 described by hundreds of tourists, and its praises have been 

 sung by its own poets the lake poets. It is with its fish that 

 we have business, and honesty compels us to give the charr a 

 bad character. It is not by any means a game fish, so far 

 as sport is concerned ; nor is it great in size or rich in 

 flavour. But potted charr is a rare breakfast delicacy. This 

 fish, which is said by Agassiz to be identical with the ombre 

 chevalier of Switzerland, is rarely found to weigh more than a 

 pound ; specimens are sometimes taken exceeding that weight, 



