222 ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 



from the sea, by salmon and other fish, not singly or 

 at infrequent intervals, but in large and continued 

 masses. 



Otter. You say truly, Jack. I have seen no less 

 than forty or fifty gallant fins abstracted by a party 

 of black-fishers from one pool, and that the very 

 one into which the neighbouring sheep-farmers 

 were accustomed to drive their flocks during the 

 washing-month ! 



Wandle. It is, however, to be confessed, Mr 

 Otter, that the purifying operations performed upon 

 the wool of sheep do in some measure affect the 

 salubrity of those waters wherein they are carried 

 on. 



Otter. This I do not deny. The impregnating 

 of a burn or pool with the corrupt smearing materials 

 attached, among other filth, to the fleece, before clip- 

 ping, cannot fail for the moment to sicken and alarm 

 the delicate inhabitants of the stream. No serious 

 result, however, takes place ; as far, at any rate, as 

 my experience goes, I do not remember to have 

 stumbled upon a single fish, small or great, in which 

 the vital spark had been rendered extinct, owing to 

 the cause above alleged. 



[Some further conversation here took place among the 

 members of the club relative to the decrease of game 

 in pastoral districts. This discussion, however, we 

 are urged to pass over, with a view of conducting our 

 readers along with Messrs Wandle-weir and Herl- 

 broke, after their departure from Ross-shire. Their 



