] ] ON FISHING WITH THE WORM FOR TROUT. 



the instinct of the animal, is evidently mistaken for the 

 subterraneous movements of the mole, its principal 

 enemy. This is a much better method of obtaining 

 worms, in some localities, than digging, inasmuch as it 

 brings them within hand-reach in a more purged con- 

 dition, and inflicts, in the case of garden ground, little 

 or no injury to plants or vegetables in the vicinity. A 

 solution of lime or salt in water, moderately strong, and 

 dashed from a pail over the surface, I have seen used 

 with effect on old grass land, when the blade is parched 

 and short, otherwise the worms raised are apt to escape 

 the eye. Those taken in this manner, ought to be 

 washed immediately in fresh water, a precaution ren- 

 dered necessary by the prejudicial nature of the agents 

 above-named. 



4th. THE MARSH WORM. This species of reptile is 

 found commonly in damp, mossy ground, often under 

 stones, in cow-dung, and among quicken heaps which 

 are partially decayed. It resembles, in some respects, 

 a small dew or lob-worm, but is much more delicate in 

 the texture. Trout, I know, especially in hill burns, 

 are fond of it, but it is many degrees too soft for 

 angling with in sizeable streams where one requires to 

 pitch the bait to a distance, nor is it readily rendered 

 tough by keeping, like most worms. Still, if handled 

 tenderly and dropt with caution, it is not a despicable 

 lure when employed either in narrow rivulets or among 

 feeding trout, in still, deep, closely shaded water. I 

 remember some years ago having recourse to it on the 

 Eden, a well-known trouting stream on the confines of 

 Berwickshire, to which I had set out unprovided with 

 bait, and capturing upwards of three dozen beautiful 

 and well conditioned trout, the water, at the time, being 

 extremely small, clear, and choked up with weedy 



