214 THE GRAINING. 



before alluded to; but it is needless to say that such is a 

 most unsportsman-like mode of proceeding, and at such a 

 time and season is most decidedly to be condemned. 



The Graining 



There is a fish in the Mersey very much resembling the dace, 

 which it seems was first noticed by Mr. Pennant, that proves to be 

 entirely a distinct species, and which it appears is not found else- 

 where in the kingdom. The fish alluded to is called the graining, 

 which from a similarity in sounds has sometimes been confounded 

 with the grayling or salmo thymallus of Linnaeus, I have already 

 treated on. It is a fi&h I am informed that affords good sport to 

 the angler, rising freely at the fly, and taking the same baits as 

 the dace. It is of about the same size as the latter fish,, but is 

 said to be much better eating ; further I am unable to say, 

 having never had the fortune to fall into the company of one of 

 these fishes, being wholly indebted to other writers on the sub- 

 ject for the information I have been thus enabled to lay before my 

 readers. There is an excellent engraving of the graining in the 

 first volume of Mr. Yarrell's history of British Fishes. 



