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CHAPTER XX. 



TAY AND ITS TRIBUTARIES. 



THE TAY discharges a greater bulk of water than any 

 other river in Great Britain. As ascertained by Dr. 

 Anderson, the quantity which is carried forward, per 

 second, opposite the city of Perth, averages no less 

 than three thousand six hundred and forty cubic feet. 

 This noble river is formed of the various streams which 

 empty themselves into Loch Tay, and passing through 

 its basin make their escape, in one body, at the lower 

 end of the lake. Of these, the principal are the 

 Dochart and the Lochay, both of which, especially the 

 former, deserve the attention of the angler. The course 

 of the Dochart, after issuing from Loch Tire, extends 

 above ten miles. It contains excellent trout, some of 

 which attain the weight of two or three pounds. Sal- 

 mon also ascend it, but not in large numbers, as they 

 are greatly obstructed by a water-fall of considerable 

 height, near the mouth of the river, at Killin. This 

 fall is an object of equal interest to the fisher and the 

 scene-hunter. The former may here practise, if in- 

 clined, a mode of angling for salmon, which, although 

 it does not test the caprice of the fish, or even the 

 skill of the fisherman, yet affords, under the circum- 

 stances of the case, legitimate sport. The apparatus 

 used is simply a strong rod or staff, to which are ap- 

 pended a cord and heavy plummet, along with a set of 



