THE HABITS AND HAUNTS OF FISH. 29 



water-course widens, and the gravelly bottom is plainly 

 apparent. Here they lie in shoals, and, before the na- 

 tional law prohibited the practice, sacrilegious work was 

 often perpetrated with the net by the poaching fraternity, 

 who, unfortunately, are much better acquainted with the 

 habits of their quarry then is generally credited. After 

 their sexual functions have been in due course accom- 

 plished, they seek the best feeding positions vacant, near 

 the sides and at the tails of sharp streams, where they lie 

 at the bottom, ever on the look-out for what the stream 

 may bring down, such as the larvae of the several orders 

 of large water flies and other aquatic insects the water- 

 spider and freshwater shrimps (Granmarus aquaticus). 

 The grayling, though a delicately organized fish, never- 

 theless possesses a strong stomach, superior to that of the 

 trout, which enables it to digest insects inhabiting shell- 

 like cases, and other molluscous food. After their health 

 has been somewhat restored by a short location here, the 

 approach of the hot months drives them to the seclusion 

 of the deepest water, near the bottom of which they lie, 

 where the heat is less felt. We believe this to be the 

 main secret as to the suitable water and locality for these 

 fish, as in these days of artificial propagation and experi- 

 mental ventures in the transportation of fish, it has been 

 often observed that when the water is not adapted for the 

 peculiarities of this fish, they have invariably descended 

 at the approach of warm weather, never to re-ascend. 

 There are many waters that do not at present contain 

 grayling, that are perfectly adapted to their peculiarities. 

 Streams having lime spring sources are found to be par- 

 ticularly suited to these delicate fish. In the Canadian 

 lakes the trout lie, whenever the weather is oppressive, 

 in masses near the cool springs, especially when these are 

 situated at the bottom of the water. Grayling in this 

 country are found to flourish in similar situations, but in 

 more genial climes they cannot be preserved, being a 



