SALMON. 25 



intercept the fish at the next shallow ford, where another 

 opportunity and a second diverting attempt occurs. I learn 

 also from Mr. Bicheno, that dogs are occasionally used when 

 trying for Salmon in that part of Glamorganshire where he 

 now resides. These dogs appear to take great pleasure 

 in the pursuit, exhibiting by turns the most patient watch- 

 fulness, persevering exertion, or extraordinary sagacity, as 

 either quality may best effect the wishes of the master. 

 In some parts of Wales, where the rivers are narrow, and 

 the Salmon are caught in a net drawn by men on each bank, 

 dogs are trained to swim over from side to side with the 

 head and ground lines of the net, as required. 



Sir Walter Scott, in his novels of Redgauntlet and Guy 

 Mannering, has described with his well-known skill and 

 effect the animated scenes which occur when parties are 

 engaged in spearing Salmon either by daylight or torchlight, 

 as practised in the North. These works are familiar to 

 all, and repetition would be useless. For the following de- 

 scription of two other modes of taking Salmon I am indebt- 

 ed to the kindness of Dr. Richardson. 



A particular kind of fishing is peculiar to the Solway 

 Firth, or at least can be practised with success only where 

 the tide flows, as it does there, over extensive flats. The 

 instrument used is termed a "halve," and consists of a fun- 

 nel-shaped net ending in a pocket or bag. The mouth of 

 this net is stretched on an oblong frame about three yards 

 wide, to which there is attached a handle or pole. When 

 the tide begins to flow, a number of fishermen proceed over 

 the sands, and range themselves in a close line across the 

 current of the flood, each with the halve resting on the 

 bottom, and its pole against his shoulder : as the tide rises, 

 it becomes too deep for the man farthest from the shore, 

 who then raises his net and places himself at the other ex- 



VOL. IT. D 



