46 



THE JOLLY ANGLER. 



marked with black spots, running parallel to each other 

 from head to tail; in shape it differs from the Trout only 

 in the head, which more resembles the Chub, and back fin, 

 which is armed something like the Perch. The largest 

 which I have seen weighed about a pound, but they occa- 

 sionally grow to double that size. 



THE TROUT 



Is the handsomest of the fresh-water tribe ; the delicate 

 tinge of his colour, diversified all over with fine crimson 

 spots, the beautiful symmetry of form, rapid motion, and 

 delicacy of his flesh, cause him to be much prized. He 

 frequents the sharpest rivers, waterfalls, mill-tails, &c. 

 and there feeds upon insects, worms, flies, or small fish ; 

 he follows them with such a rapidity of motion as renders 

 it almost impossible for them to escape. The Trout is 

 found in most parts of the United Kingdom, but I think 

 those in the Wandle as handsome as any; for observe, in 

 some rivers they are white or yellow, but in the Wandle, 

 and^many others, when in season, are of a pink cast, and 

 the large ones when boiled cut and taste much like the 

 Salmon. In the west of England they are in season from 

 the end of February till June, but in some rivers they are 

 not in season till April, and spawn in October. Few fish 

 vary more in size than the Trout: in Devonshire and some 

 other places they run small, seldom weighing a pound; in 

 Hampshire much larger; but the Thames and Lea produce 

 as large as any in England, sometimes reaching more than 



