ioo THE GRAYLING. 



or a sham bait, but they have a decided predilec- 

 tion for a fresh one. 



The trout, I need not say, is of the noble family 

 of " Salmo" and is distinguished as " Salmo fario" 

 Wide differences will be observed both in size, 

 shape, and colour in specimens taken from differ- 

 ent streams, lakes, and rivers. The weight varies 

 from a few ounces to ten or twelve pounds ; and 

 while some streams afford fish of handsome shape 

 and bright colours, others are inhabited by lanky, 

 dusky specimens, pale-fleshed and almost worthless 

 to eat. I consider that the great cause of these 

 differences is the food. Where that is plentiful 

 the fish grow and thrive ; where it is not, or there 

 are too many mouths to partake of it, they are, as 

 a natural result, lean and ill-favoured. No doubt, 

 however, there are many distinct species of trout 

 which have never yet been classed by the ichthy- 

 ologists. 



THE GRAYLING. 



The grayling (" Salmo thymallus ") is essentially 

 a monkish fish ; at least it is said to have been 

 introduced by the monks, who 



" Made gude kail 

 On Fridays when they fasted." 



And the legend is corroborated by the alleged fact 



