REASON FOR DIGRESSING. 27 



of peal (both very different from the sea-trout, 

 which also haunts the stream we have mentioned), 

 the largest, called the pug-peal, run from two to 

 eight pounds, and ascend the river from the sea 

 during May, June, and July. The harvest-peal 

 are from six ounces to a pound and a half, and do 

 not commence their ascent for six weeks after the 

 larger sort, but both are in the river at the same 

 time during part of the season. The salmon come 

 in later still, and all return to the sea about the 

 same time, together with the graveling or smoults, 

 in the floods of early spring. But we cannot here 

 devote greater space to this important and interest- 

 ing subject. Our primary object for introducing 

 it has been already stated, namely, to assist in re- 

 moving an unjustifiable excuse for the wanton 

 destruction of diminutive fish. 



The trout is in best season from April to 

 October, when the general spawning begins. The 

 period for commencing fly-fishing varies in different 

 localities and in different seasons. On most May- 



trout species." We have no doubt of the existence of this 

 diminutive species in most trout streams, but it is not 

 easily distinguished from salmon-fry of the same size pre- 

 vious to assuming its migratory dress, and therefore our 

 caution against the capture of all small fish, in rivers fre- 

 quented by salmon, becomes the more important. 



