RIVERS. 7 



in depth and directness, as well as length of course and 

 travel. 



We thus, by illustration, have described our idea of 

 a good fishing river ; and now, as to the moor burn, 

 out of which many Scottish streams are produced, and 

 angling in whose waters is not an unpleasant recreation. 

 The moor burn breeds a darkish variety of trout, not 

 assuredly the most beautiful to gaze upon, and yet here 

 and there of enticing hue. It looks well rising at a 

 fly, having a fine yellow appearance, the gleam of which 

 causes its bulk to seem greater. Heaths and mosses 

 are not destitute of aliment for fish, although the kind 

 they provide is unusual in other soils. They nourish 

 the moss worm, a small species of insect or reptile in- 

 habiting the least barren parts : also on the surface va- 

 rious flies abound during summer, uncommon among 

 the more fertile regions of the valley. Yet doth the 

 same rule apply to these waters as that which governs 

 other streams respecting rocky bottoms and dead levels, 

 which, as aforesaid, do not greatly swarm with life. So 

 far in respect to the quality of rivers. 



We shall afterwards give a list of the principal streams 

 in Scotland, along with their natures and suitableness 

 for angling ; concluding at prei % nt this rambling chap- 

 ter with a few rhyming stanzas. 



TO THE TWEED. 



Twined with my boyhood, wreathed on the dream 

 Of early endearments, beautiful stream ! 

 The lisp of thy waters is music to me, 



Hours buried, are buried in thee ! 



Sleepless and sinless, the mirth of thy springs ! 

 The light, and the limpid, the fanciful things, 

 That mingle with thine the gleam of their play/ 

 And are lifted in quiet away ! 



