205 



skimmed along the surface ; and as I once saw a High- 

 land boy (to whom I had given a little tackle with which 

 he was whipping within a few yards of me), catch an eel 

 of near a pound weight, with a red-spi nnerjly, I really 

 cannot see any argument in opposition to a jack's rising 

 to a proper lure. 



I never have had occasion to make any trial of a fly, 

 having always had the good luck to induce the jacks to 

 take my fish, or worms, or frogs, with as much readiness 

 as the season, and attendant circumstances, could lead me 

 to expect. 



I shall conclude this chapter with remarking, that in 

 the summer time jacks rarely take freely in the middle of 

 the day ; unless in very gloomy unfrequented places : 

 but that during the rest of the year they will come for- 

 ward according to the weather and to the situation : we 

 may however expect, that in the winter they will take 

 best during die middle of the day. 



They are very averse to cold 3 and when the nor- 

 therly winds prevail, or that a frost is on the ground, 

 will seldom stir, though you place the most tempting 

 baits close before them. I have already said, that at such 

 seasons, they appear to be in a torpid state. 



Of the Perch. 



This very wholesome and well-flavoured fish abounds 

 in such fresh waters as are clear, deep, and not too ra- 

 pid -j though perch are occasionally found in quicker 

 streams, and where die water is subject to be much dis- 

 coloured by freshes. 



In ponds they breed very fast, but soon extirpate other 

 kinds, being extremely bold and merciless. They are 



apt, 



