76 THE SCOTTISH ANGLER. 



shallow, and the frosts shortly before somewhat se- 

 vere. 



Although generally a delicate fish, trout at times 

 will evince a great tenacity of life, when exposed to 

 pernicious influences, and become accustomed to places 

 where, even to the naturalist, it would seem impossible 

 they could exist : for instance, in the immediate neigh- 

 bourhood of tanneries and bleach-fields, where large 

 quantities of lime and other sickening ingredients are 

 daily let loose upon them, as at Colt Bridge, near Edin- 

 burgh, and farther up the stream, below Slateford aque- 

 duct. Also, they will thrive and abound within tide- 

 mark, and where the water is brackish, as on the 

 Almond, at Cramond, where we have caught them 

 again and again, in places daily flooded over by the sea, 

 and above which they could not ascend, owing to the 

 intervention of a high dam. 



SONG. 

 Angling on a summer night, 



When the moon ray met the fairy, 

 Tripping down a bank of light, 



To the sweet Loch of St Mary ; 

 Music floated, sad and holy, 



Every wild flower lent its tone, 

 And the sullen trout swam slowly, 



Like the shadow of a stone. 

 From the bank on Meggat stream, 



Where a quiet fountain gushes, 

 And the undulating gleam 



Glances through a tuft of rushes, 

 There I threw the silv'ry palmer, 



With a meditating arm 

 For the crystal pool lay calmer 



Than a sea beneath a charm. 

 Was it but a fancied fin, 



O'er the glassy water gliding, 

 As I dropt the feather in, 



Like an insect, half confiding. 



