6 THE SCOTTISH ANGLER. 



its choice formation of bottom or channel, fertile in 

 food, provided with shelter, and admirably fitted to the 

 purpose of spawning. A medley it is of gravel and sand, 

 interspersed with largeish stones, just capable of being 

 removed by the hand. Now and then, it is true, these 

 latter assume more considerable dimensions ; nay, oc- 

 casionally, a point of rock may be discovered, yet so 

 judiciously arranged as not at all to cause prejudice to 

 any one stream. Clay you seldom meet with ; it is a 

 barren unprofitable substance, impervious to every spe- 

 cies of water animalculae; we mean not by it, the 

 muddy refuse which is often found even in Tweed, 

 proceeding from vegetable decomposition, and not in 

 the leakt unfavourable to the support of fish, but that 

 hard yellowish till of which the agriculturist complains, 

 as drawing off no moisture, and harbouring no nourish- 

 ment. 



Another leading feature of the Tweed is, that its 

 whole developement is gradual, its extension almost 

 imperceptible. It proceeds not, like the Tay or Lochie, 

 from the womb of a large reservoir, supplied but scantily 

 during its course, but commences in more modest and 

 humble style, emergent from slender and silvery foun- 

 tains, without show or vaunt, or any symbol of its pro- 

 gressive greatness. Yet anon it maketh considerable 

 gains from surrounding hills, assuming a more dilated 

 and goodly aspect ; rivulet after rivulet adds to its 

 breadth, as it widens up gently and unconsciously with 

 the valley through which it flows : nor is each petty 

 feeder without its use a nursery for the young fry, it 

 annually sends forth shoal on shoal, to disport among 

 roomier waters in the leading stream. As it descends, 

 these resources become larger, often contending for 

 the precedence, and yet in nowise worthy of such dis- 

 tinction. The Tweed itself preserves the superiority 



