SALMON. 15 



twelve or fourteen inches in length ; and by a 

 gradual progress increase in number and size, 

 till the end of July, when they are termed Gilse. 

 In the beginning of August they lessen in num- 

 ber, but increase in size, some being six or 

 eight pounds in weight. 



All fishermen agree that they never find any 

 food in the stomach of this fish. Perhaps du- 

 ring the spawning time, they may entirely ne- 

 glect their food ; and that they return to sea 

 lank and lean, and come from it in good con- 

 dition. 



It is evident that, at times, their food is both 

 fish and worms, for the angler uses both with 

 good success ; as well as a large gaudy artifi- 

 cial fly, which they probably mistake for a gay 

 Libellula, or Dragon fly. The capture of Sal- 

 mon in the Tweed is prodigious ; in a good 

 fishery, often a boat load, and sometimes near 

 two, are taken in a tide. The season for fishing 

 in the Tweed begins November 30th, but there 

 are few taken till after Christmas ; it ends on 

 Michaelmas day, yet the Corporation of Ber- 

 wick, who are the conservators of the river, in- 

 dulge the fishermen with a fortnight past that 

 time, on account of the change of the style. 



The general length of the Salmon is from two 

 and a half to three feet, but sometimes more : 

 the male is principally distinguished by the cur- 



