BLEAK. 73 



or they will render the attempt fruitless. Also 

 the grasshopper and cabbage grub, either natu- 

 ral or artificial, are excellent baits, and will 

 take many other kinds of fish. 



BLEAK. 



THE Bleak is to be found commonly in rivers; 

 its length is about five or six inches ; slender in 

 shape with the body much compressed ; co- 

 lour bright silvery, with the back olive green ; 

 scales of a middle size, and tail forked. It is 

 from the scales of this fish that the beautiful sil- 

 very matter used in the preparation of artificial 

 pearls is chiefly taken ; the invention is of French 

 origin, and is principally practised at Paris. 



The Bleak is sometimes called the river swal- 

 low from being continually in motion, and by 

 their dexterity in catching flies, and other small 

 insects that float upon the surface of the water. 

 Its flesh is very agreeable to the palate, if dres- 

 sed soon after it is taken. It is to be angled 

 for below mid-water, with maggots ; the line to 

 have five or six small hooks, fastened six inches 

 above each other ; in this manner several may 

 be taken at a time. It is also to be caught by 

 a short fly line with two or three artificial 

 gnats, of a brownish colour, upon it, and on 

 a summer's evening, this method affords the 

 angler very pretty sport. 



