CH. VI.] ARTIFICIAL SPATE. 89 



head, first manifesting itself by a small white spot 

 on it, and subsequently producing blindness, 

 numbers having been known to die from this 

 cause. The flesh is said not to be affected by this 

 disease, but to remain perfectly good for the table. 

 A gentleman with whom I am acquainted, and 

 who rents a river running into the head of a loch, 



in shire, thought it would be possible, by an 



artificial spate, to induce any Salmon which might 

 be waiting for a natural one to ascend his river. 

 Accordingly he had a large dam constructed across 

 it, so as to head back a considerable quantity of 

 water. Some weeks of dry weather ensued, during 

 which his fishing was at a stand-still, and the 

 neighbouring farmers took advantage of the pool 

 thus formed for the purpose of washing their 

 sheep, for which operation it afforded a convenient 

 place. At length his patience became exhausted, 

 and a number of Salmon having become congre- 

 gated at the head of the loch, he caused the sluice 

 of his dam to be raised, and down rushed his 

 spate. Instead, however, of the Salmon taking 

 advantage of it to ascend his river, they, disgusted 

 at the foulness and staleness of the water, turned 

 tail and retreated before it ; the proof being that 

 on that night a large number were caught in the 



