FISHES AND FISHING. 99 



Having now considered to what extent, according 

 to our finite abilities, the senses of hearing, tasting, 

 and smelling, are conferred on fish, it is proper to 

 notice their sense of sight. There can be no doubt, 

 but they have that sense in great perfection, but 

 some species have it more acutely than others, ac- 

 cording to their habits and necessities. As an in- 

 stance, observe salmon, how they will leap at a fly, 

 or large moth, hovering over the stream, in the 

 evening of a summer's day, and secure it before the 

 insect can touch the water. Trout also, will do the 

 same in a less degree : this evinces the great accu- 

 racy of their sight. An illustration of what was the 

 condition of a trout deprived of that sense, must be 

 introduced by the following little narrative. Many 

 years ago, I, frequently during the trout season, 

 accompanied a friend to the river Wandle. I had 

 access to some of the preserved waters, but he had 

 not, consequently I angled only in the free waters 

 when he was with me. On one occasion, of a beauti- 

 ful prospective day for trout fishing, when we had 

 reached Mitcham Common, the clouds and little 

 breeze disappeared, and the sun shone in complete 

 effulgence, so that it seemed useless to attempt to 

 throw a fly with any expectation of success. On 

 reaching the river we could see plenty of trout lying 

 basking, a little below the surface, and apparently 



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