65 



wind and weather are favourable. There are consi- 

 derable quantities of bottom fish in these lochs, such 

 as bream, roach, chub, perch, and pike ; some of the 

 latter kind of fish having been taken upwards of 

 thirty pounds weight. 



The vendaee just mentioned is a somewhat singu- 

 lar fish, and is described as a species of fish known 

 nowhere else, and which, from its peculiar delicacy, 

 as an article for the table, is highly prized, It has 

 hitherto defied all attempts at being transported to 

 other waters. " It is a beautiful fish, from four to 

 six inches in length, and of a bright silvery appear- 

 ance, with a slight tendency to a light blue along 

 the back and sides. Upon the top of the head there 

 is a very distinct shape of a heart, covered with a 

 transparent substance of a brownish colour, resem- 

 bling a thin lamina of mica slate, through which 

 the brain is visible. Nothing to the naked eye 

 is found in the stomach, though a late inquirer 

 has said that their food consists of incredibly mi- 

 nute eutromostracea. Overlooking the fact that 

 the vendaee dies the moment it is touched, or 

 brought to the air, and has hitherto defied trans- 

 portation, the common people speak of its having 

 been brought by one of the Jameses, from Vendois, 

 in Prance." 



The angling continues good from Lockerby to 

 the town of Annan. The trout are commonly larger 

 the nearer you approach the sea. I have seen 

 almost all kinds of flies used on the Annan, and 

 nearly with equal success ; and my impression is, 



