324 THE ANGLER-NATURALIST. 



them when inside Trout. The voracity of this animal 

 must be great, if, not satisfied with three large fishes, he 

 must dash also at the bait of the angler. An Indian who 

 was a very experienced fisherman explained to my informant 

 the probable reason why the White-fish are found with 

 their heads downwards. He said he had frequently seen 

 from his canoe, when in still water, the Trout chase the 

 White-fish; and that whenever the latter perceived the 

 former near them, they invariably turned round as if to 

 look their danger in the face, and, making no resistance, 

 were taken head foremost into the jaws of the enemy, a 

 curious provision of Nature, unnerving the weak to feed 

 the strong. In the winter-season the Indians cut holes in 

 the ice where it is transparent, and contrive to drag their 

 nets beneath it. They also spear the Trout, using upon 

 such occasions a painted fish as a decoy, which attracts 

 the minnows : the voracious Trout, perceiving that some- 

 thing is going on, now gets in motion, and the minnows, 

 aware of his approach by the movement of the water, escape 

 in a contrary direction, when the Indian, thus apprised 

 of the quarter whence the Trout is making his advent, 

 adjusts his spear and transfixes him as he comes up." 



There is a species or variety of Trout called the Botling, 

 mentioned by Dr. Davy * as inhabiting Wastwater, Cum- 

 berland, which attains a weight of 10 or 12 Ibs. ; but I have 

 hitherto not been fortunate enough to obtain a specimen. 

 The Botling ascends the lake-streams in the autumn, and 

 * The Angler in the Lake District, p. 98. 



