COCK-BOAT. 221 



From the islet in question, which is studded with some 

 half-score pines shooting from the crevices of the rocks, the 

 picture is very beautiful ; hut to be properly appreciated 

 must be seen ; for, as with other of the stupendous works of 

 Nature, the reality defies description. 



When the royal family of Sweden visit Trollhattan, as 

 they not unfrequently do, a sort of cock-boat, with the 

 figure of a man in the stern-sheets, is, in honour of the 

 occasion, sent down the Fall. But the effect is rather ludi- 

 crous than sublime, which would not be the case if a vessel 

 of any magnitude were precipitated into the abyss beneath. 



At Trollhattan there is tolerable fishing both above and 

 below the Falls. As far as the sport is concerned, the best 

 perhaps is above, for there not only trout, but pike, &c., are 

 taken, which is not often the case below. 



Near to Stallbacka, about two miles above the Falls, there 

 are some very good rapids, where a dish of trout more 

 especially in the spring of the year, before the fish are on the 

 move for the Wenern is almost always obtainable; and 

 owing to the water not being generally deep, one succeeds 

 nearly as well with the fly as by spinning. One day, in the 

 middle of April, I here killed six trout, weighing together 

 about sixty pounds, all, with a single exception, of the species 

 called Silfver-Lax. 



Though we occasionally took that beautiful fish in the 

 waters about Ronnum, it was to the rapids 'in question that 

 he seemed chiefly to confine himself, which circumstance, 

 coupled with the vicinity of these rapids to the Falls, almost 

 inclined me at one time to think that the Silfver-Lax might 

 be a visitor from salt water. 



From the Stallbacka Rapids downwards, there is no very 



