206 THE Aroostook Woops. 

short way, then a uniform size far as one could see, showing 
itself at this time in a dark line between its snowy banks 
deeply shaded by the dense swamp. And at our feet, and all 
along in many of its turns and windings far below, are small 
pools of quiet water, and gravelly, spawning beds, where can 
be seen the baby trout, the largest at the head of the brook 
no longer than a little finger. 
Each year far up the brooks from the large waters, here can 
be seen these sprightly little fellows in many places, in large 
numbers; and in the early spring, by looking closely, there 
may be seen the partly developed baby trout, with its little 
sack hanging to it beneath, and this little embryo is from the 
egg left on the spawning ground late in the fall before. 
Winter or summer they are here, and as many growing large 
enough, they run down to greater waters, and are replaced 
by the spawning in the fall. As we bend over them, they are 
frightened at our dark shadows and dart away up and down 
the small stream, and beneath the fine woody sediment, to 
hide in their late winter quarters. 
And so it is all through the forest, everywhere in this large 
county, and it would be modest indeed to remark that our 
spring brooks are numerous. Nearly every small stream, 
some quite diminutive, when fed by the never failing springs, 
are the home of the baby trout. They never freeze to any 
depth, even in exposed situations in the forest, nor do the 
lowland brooks they feed, save just sufficient to hold up the 
snows in winter, which protect the small trout until balmy 
spring opens out and brightens up their small territory. Here 
they are safe from the old, hooked-nosed trout, yet have their 
enimies even here. 
The otter getting far back, seeking some secluded spot 
