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THE SALMON TROUT. 



natural and artificial, the latter being certainly the neatest and most artistic method. 

 The arcana of angling are not within the province of this work ; and for information 

 on that subject, the reader is referred to the many valuable works which have been 

 written by accomplished masters of the art. 



There is a curious method of catching Trout, much in vogue among the juvenile 

 fishers. This process is called " tickling," and is managed as follows : The tickler 

 gets quietly into the stream, and walks slowly along the banks, feeling carefully for 

 any depression or cavity. One hand is then introduced very gently, while the other is 

 placed over the entrance of the hole, the fingers being spread so as to prevent the 

 exit of any fish that may happen to be resident in that locality. Several such cavities 

 may be tried without success, but at last the smooth side of a fish is felt by the finger-tips. 



TROUT. -Sa/mo tarlo. 



The startled fish gives a great flounce on being touched, and tries to dash out of the 

 hole, but, being checked by the spread hand, retires to the recesses of its cavern. The 

 finger-tips are then gently brought against the abdomen of the fish, which soon endures 

 the contact, and permits the hand gradually to inclose it. As soon as that is the case, 

 the fish is suddenly grasped, snatched out of the hole, and flung ashore before it can 

 find time to struggle from the captor's hold. Some accomplished ticklers aver them- 

 selves to be capable of thrusting the fore-finger into the gill and out at the mouth, and 

 hooking out the fish in this singular manner. 



The color of the Trout is yellowish brown above, speckled with dark reddish brown, 

 and a number of carmine spots are scattered along each side of the lateral line. The 

 abdomen is silvery white, and the lower part of the sides rich golden yellow. There is, 

 however, considerable variation in the color of the Trout, the locality having consider- 

 able influence upon the tints. 



One or two other species of this genus are found in British waters, and require a 

 passing notice. 



The BULL, or GRAY TROUT (Salmo eriox) is found in several of our rivers, and in 

 the Tweed is tolerably common. It often attains a very large size, but a specimen 

 weighing more than fifteen pounds is not very common. 



The SALMON TROUT (Salmo trutta), is another British species, and in general habits 

 is very like the salmon, migrating to the sea, and returning to the rivers in a similar 

 fashion. 



