126 BRITISH FISH AND FISHERIES. 



the trout, on a calm morning in May, while 

 the May -flies, " thick as autumnal leaves in 

 Valombrosa," were dancing over the stream. 



On the continent, if Donovan and Bloch are 

 correct, (but certainly not in England,) the 

 grayling passes the winter in the seas or the 

 estuary, ascending the river in the spring, and 

 remaining there till autumn. We say " not in 

 England," because we have known the grayling 

 in the Wye and Derwent, not only through the 

 summer but the winter also, the fishing season 

 for it being during the winter months ; and 

 though not a professed " brother of the angle," 

 we have ourselves taken it at that time of the 

 year. We believe, however, that the writers 

 referred to are in some degree correct, for sir H. 

 Davy ascertained that the grayling of England 

 will bear brackish water without inconvenience. 



When freshly taken from the water, this fish 

 has a peculiar aromatic and agreeable odour, 

 which should not be allowed to fade before it is 

 dressed for the table. Walton thus writes 

 respecting this fish : " Gesner says, that in his 

 country, which is Switzerland, he is accounted 

 the choicest of all fish," etc. " Some think he 

 feeds on water-thyme, and smells of it at his 

 first taking out of the water;" from this thyme- 

 like odour originates the generic term, thymalltis. 



