128 THE GRAYLING. 



The grayling would seem to be a very hardy fish. 

 Lsestadius tells us, that next to the pike, it makes the 

 nearest approaches to the Lapland Fjall lakes, only inha- 

 bited, according to him, by the Charr and a single species of 

 trout, called in Lappish the Tabmok. 



Bloch tells us, that one very curious circumstance re- 

 specting this fish, is the remarkable odour emitted from its 

 body. ^Elien has compared it with the scent of thyme, and 

 Ambroise with that of honey. Pennant denies the existence of 

 this odour. The statement, however, does not appear to be 

 without foundation, for the fish devours insects which possess 

 a strong odour, and which may communicate it ; as for 

 instance, the Gyrinus natator, Linn., which, according to 

 Raesel, has so strong an odour, that when several of these 

 insects are collected together, one may scent them at a dis- 

 tance of five to six hundred paces. For as these insects are 

 not always to be found, or at least not in so great numbers, 

 one may consider the smell of the grayling as a varying 

 quality that sometimes exists, and at other times disappears. 



As with us, the grayling is held in high estimation for the 

 table. It is said to be preferable in October and November. 

 The flesh is white, and is looked upon as so easy of diges- 

 tion, that it is prescribed for the sick. 



In Scandinavia the grayling spawns in May, or the begin- 

 ning of June, the time varying somewhat according to lati- 

 tude and locality. " The lek is carried on," Laestadius tells 

 us, " in the current, and in preference in shallow water ; and 

 though the fish are then congregated in large shoals, male 

 and female would seem to keep together in pairs. During 

 the spawning season the fish varies considerably in appear- 

 ance, its usual white colour under the belly becoming red." 



