THE NORTHERN LOCHS AND RIVERS, in 



whole surface is alive with its bellings, which one 

 would imagine proceeded from so many springs at the 

 bottom. It rises to any colour and size of insect 

 employed, repeating a false snatch until pricked with 

 the barb of the hook. Its dart, however, is not so rapid 

 as that of the trout, and scarcely so true. The char of 

 Loch Achilty generally measures from six to nine inches. 

 It is shaped like the gurnet, and, in proportion to its 

 length, is of small depth and circumference. The head 

 and upper parts are of a greyish-brown colour, marked 

 with whitish spots ; the belly and lower fins pink, 

 approaching to carmine. At table it is a perfect 

 dainty, having a fine, delicate flavour, superior to that 

 of any trout I ever tasted. One might easily capture 

 three dozen of them among twice as many trout on a 

 favourable day in Loch Achilty. 



Besides the char and trout, this beautiful lake 

 teems with another fish of smaller dimensions, and 

 seemingly a variety of the stickle-back. It swims 

 sometimes in shoals, like the minnow, and some- 

 times alone. Although no doubt occasionally de- 

 voured by the trout and char, I never observed any 

 attacks made upon it by these fish, and am inclined 

 to believe that it is by no means a favourite food of 

 theirs ; yet I cannot affirm that I actually investi- 

 gated this matter with any degree of care or 

 curiosity. Be that as it may, the stickle-back of 

 Loch Achilty is itself a singular production, differ- 

 ing in its habits and appearance from the more 



