THE TROUf. 167 



Time of, and preparation for spawning. 



the Roman empire, yet is only mentioned by 

 writers on account of its beautiful colours. 



In some rivers trouts begin to spawn in Octo- 

 ber; but November is the chief month of spawn- 

 ing. About the end of September they quit the 

 deep water to which they had retired during the 

 hot weather, and make great efforts to gain, 

 the course of the currents, seeking out a proper 

 place for spawning. This is always on a gravelly 

 bottom, or where gravel and sand are mixed 

 among stones, towards the end and sides of 

 streams. At this period they turn black about the 

 head and body, and become soft and unwhole- 

 some. They are never good when they are big 

 with roe, which is contrary to the nature of most 

 other fish. The} r multiply very fast, though they 

 produce much less spawn than any other fish, 

 which is probably owing to the voracious fish in 

 those cold streams where they reside, and they 

 would be still more numerous if they were not 

 so greedy as to devour each other. After spawn- 

 ing they become feeble, their bodies are wasted 

 and those beautiful spots, which before adorned 

 them, are imperceptible. Their heads appear 

 swelled, and their eyes are dull. In this state 

 they seek still waters, and continue there sick, as 

 it is supposed, all the winter. There are in all 

 trout rivers some barren female fish, which con- 

 tinue good throughout the winter. 



These fish begin to leave their winter quarters 

 in March, or sometimes earlier, if the weather 



