6 OBSERVATIONS 



to maintain himself in the most rapid stream, 

 poised as it were like a hawk in the air, was the 

 first thing which seemed worth noting at this 

 fishing-hut. Even the tail, which is known to be 

 the principal organ of propulsion, can scarcely be 

 observed to move, and the fins, which are used to 

 balance the fish, seem quite useless, except when 

 he sees an insect; then he will dart with the 

 greatest velocity through the opposing current at 

 his prey, and quickly return. The station which 

 he occupies in this manner is invariably well 

 chosen. Should a favourite haunt where food is 

 concentrated by the current be rather crowded by 

 his fellows, he will prefer contending with them 

 for a share of it, to residing long in an unfruitful 

 situation. 



A Trout will chiefly frequent one place during 

 all the summer months. It is well known that he 

 quits the larger waters, and ascends the smaller 

 brooks for the purpose of spawning in October and 

 November, when the male assists the female in 

 making a hole in the gravel wherein to deposit the 

 ov3B. By some it is supposed, that they both lie 

 dormant in the mud during the greatest severity 

 of the winter. 



Sense of Hearing. 



In order that we might be enabled to ascertain 

 the truth of a common assertion (viz.) that fish 



