10 ANGLING. 



streams. It concentrates the diffused light of a thick 

 medium in a remarkable manner. Hence it is necessary 

 that the angler should not only keep out of sight as much 

 as possible, but that his attire should be of a dark and 

 sober tint. Not only must he beware of his shadow falling 

 into the stream, but he must know to some extent the laws 

 of reflection and refraction, or he will be unconsciously 

 showing his image to the fishes whilst pluming himself on 

 his skill in keeping out of sight. Hence a cloudy day is 

 so much superior to the brilliant sunshine for the purposes 

 of the angler. The sight of fishes is one of their highest 

 sentient endowments; and if the point of the hook but 

 protrude from the tempting bait, it will not lure the 

 stupidest fish in the muddy waters of a ditch. 



I resided for some time in the neighbourhood of a pond 

 where the fish were in the habit of being fed. I could 

 never discover whether it was the sight of the feeder on 

 the brink, or the sound of his footstep, that first attracted 

 them. They were so fearless that they boldly came to the 

 water's edge, and apparently unable to recognise whether 

 it was their master or a stranger feeding them. A hurried 

 tramp or noisy footstep at once sent them flying to the 

 deeper depths of their narrow home. I am inclined to 

 think that the hearing of fish is more acute than natural- 

 ists seem to say is possible. A lump of ground bait, how- 

 ever loud the splash, will not disturb them ; and they soon 

 seem to associate the noise with the food ; but an unusual 

 sound will scare them like sheep before a strange dog. No 

 one can resist the inference, that the footstep of the angler 

 should be as light as possible, and all unusual sounds 

 should be carefully avoided. 



Do fish smell ? Bottom-fishers are peculiarly interested 



