THE SALMON FAMILY. 357 



Curlen and Bala ; in Lancashire, in the Ribble ; in York- 

 shire, in the Derwent, the Ure, the Wharfe, and the Whiske, 

 near Northallerton ; and in Cumberland*, in the Esk and 

 the Eden. Of these, by far the finest streams are the Dove, 

 the Lug, the Test, and the Teme. The last-named river 

 contains, in addition to some remarkably beautiful scenery, 

 probably the best Grayling-water in the world. It was 

 in the neighbourhood of the Teme, at Downton Castle, 

 that Sir H. Davy wrote his ' Salmonia, or Days of Salmon 

 Fishing'; and within the last few months, through the 

 kindness of the present owner, Mr. Boughton- Knight, the 

 author has enjoyed some excellent sport on its banks. 



The Teme Grayling has the reputation of being the 

 finest in England, and when in the height of condition 

 that is, in October or November and just taken from 

 the water, is certainly one of the most beautiful fish that 

 can be imagined. At this time the back is of a deep 

 purple colour, with small dark irregular spots on the sides ; 

 the stomach is brilliantly white, with a fringe or lacing of 

 gold ; and the tail-, pectoral, and ventral fins are of a rich 

 purplish tint. The dorsal fin is very large almost dis- 

 proportionately so and is covered with scarlet spots and 

 wavy lines upon a dark ground of reddish brown. The 

 little velvet back-fin near the tail is also dark brown or 

 purple, and the whole body is shot with violet, copper, and 

 blue reflexions when seen in different lights. Properly to 

 appreciate this colouring, the fish should be laid horizon- 

 * Heysham's Catalogue of Cumberland Animals. 



