AND ANGLING SONGS. 299 



with rod and line is a matter of no great regret, as the dimen- 

 sions of the fish are very insignificant, and it possesses no game 

 qualities. Its ordinary length is from seven to eight inches. In 

 appearance it bears some resemblance to a sprat or a sardine, 

 but the scales and colouring are a trifle more delicate. 



Our visit to Lochmaben had been arranged a fortnight before 

 it took place ; and Mr. Macdonald, in the interim, had kindly, 

 as promised, taken an opportunity to acquaint the then tenant of 

 the shootings and fishings, Dr. Scott, of our wish to investigate 

 the contents of the Castle Loch, close to which, in a beautiful 

 little rustic dwelling, yclept Yendace Cottage, he resided. The 

 intimation of our wish, conveyed by Mr. Macdonald, had been 

 responded to by the assurance that every endeavour would be 

 made to further the object of our visit, and that notice would be 

 duly given to the fisherman and his assistant to have the net and 

 coble in readiness at any hour we chose to fix on. On our 

 arrival we found all prepared, and our entertainer on the look- 

 out, agreeably to promise, so that, after devoting a few minutes 

 to the inspection of his eel-traps, and a small canal or reservoir 

 tilled with roach, which occupied a corner of the garden, the 

 roach being collected and kept up as a provision wherewith to 

 bait lines for pike, etc , we made our way down to the boat- 

 hoxise. 



I had taken, I may mention, a trouting-rod with me, under 

 the impression that I might have an opportunity of bringing it 

 to bear against one or other of the various kinds of fish, eleven 

 in number, inhabiting the Castle Loch ; but this idea received a 

 check the moment I came to the water's edge. The element, 

 which I had expected to find, not crystalline certainly, like the 

 contents of some of our Highland lakes, but moderately pure and 

 transparent, was thick, if not unctuous full of floating particles, 

 which, when submitted, I was told, to microscopic test, teemed 

 with insect life in great variety. 



