THE SALMON FAMILY. 355 



cannot fail to observe that Grayling do not^ like Trout, 

 affect very rapid shallows and the coldest torrents ; on the 

 contrary, they seem to thrive best where milder currents 

 alternate with deep and extensive pools." On these rapids, 

 however — or " stickles," as they are termed — small Gray- 

 ling may frequently be found, but the large fish rarely 

 except in the spawning-season. The haunts of large Gray- 

 ling are the deepish and slowly-running tails of streams or 

 pools, a few yards before the formation of fresh shallows ; 

 and here they will be found at all times, except when 

 spawning. 



Notwithstanding the fastidiousness of Grayling in the 

 choice of situation and the quality of water, it has been 

 clearly proved by experiment that they will live in ponds 

 newly cut in hard soil, or in such as have been recently 

 and carefully cleaned out ; but in these situations the fish 

 do not breed, and in old muddy ponds rapidly die off. 



Some years ago the attempt to introduce Grayling into 

 the upper part of the Thames was made by Mr. Warburton, 

 who turned in a considerable number of store-fish; but 

 they never became acclimatized, and have long since entirely 

 disappeared. A similar effort on a larger scale is now being 

 conducted by the Thames Angling Association, which it is 

 devoutly to be wished may prove successful, though I can- 

 not say that my own anticipations as to the probability of 

 such a result are very sanguine. The small number, how- 

 ever, that have hitherto been caught may perhaps be owing 

 to their never being fished for. It remains to be seen 



