32 BRITISH SPORTING FISHES. 



position from the Tweed, at Kelso, one half- 

 swallowed by the other. Both fish were alive ; 

 they were placed in water, when the larger made 

 two or three attempts to swallow its neighbour. 

 These fish were forwarded to Buckland ; and Dr. 

 Burton, who sent them, remarked that the lad 

 who captured them wondered much to see " a 

 muckle fish wi' twa tails." It is fortunate that 

 most fish seem to know the character of their 

 predacious neighbour, and no small fry are 

 allowed, or care, to go near his haunts those 

 that were there originally having long ago entered 

 its voracious jaws. And such jaws ! Well may 

 the little fish in sheer fright jump right out of the 

 water, or make for the shallows, where the water- 

 wolf cannot follow them. To the loach, the tiny 

 sticklebacks, and the silvery minnows, the pike is 

 a terrible giant and bugbear. Like most predatory 

 fishes, his appetite is enormous, and his digestion 

 quick. He will attack and attempt to swallow 

 one of his own species almost his equal in weight 

 and size, which feat we have more than once 

 witnessed. He is also a great enemy to trout, 

 and we know one of the best trout-streams in 

 the country which he has almost depopulated. 

 He is a difficult enemy to circumvent, his ex- 

 tinction being almost impracticable ; but with 

 many baits and lures he affords good sport to 



