BONY FISHES, 343 



every fish within its influence perfectly visible. The watchful 

 spearman, guided by slight indications bearing no meaning to an 

 unpractised eye, darts his unerring spear, and brings up in triumph 

 the glittering captive, writhing in vain among the barbed points. 

 In the northern rivers this destructive pursuit is carried on to a 

 great extent, more than a hundred salmon being frequently taken 

 in an evening. Anglers also find considerable sport in using the 

 fly for this beautiful and active fish, whose strength makes it nc 

 mean antagonist. 



The Trout is found in rapid, shallow, sparkling streams, 

 especially if there should be little falls at intervals. The usual 

 method of fishing for trout is with a fly, but trolling with a minnow 

 is often successfully used, nor does the 



trout reject a well-selected and properly ^^-gS^ffi^HBfeg—^ 

 arranged worm. ^*«<! ^t :; ■■'■ ijj j^'-va^ ^'^ 



The brilliant speckled tints of j^^ j^„m_ 



this beautiful fish vary much accord- 

 ing to the locality and the time of year. In May the fish assume 

 their brightest colors and their most delicate flavor. The size of 

 the fish also varies exceedingly, being from half a pound in weight 

 and about eight inches in length to ten or fifteen pounds' weight. 



The Smelt belongs to this family, and in its progress to the 

 sea is destroyed in great quantities in mill-ponds, etc. 



The Herring makes its annual appearance in April. This 

 most valuable fish arrives in enormous shoals, five or six miles in 

 length and three or four in breadth. Their advent is heralded by 

 various sea birds, such as the 

 gannets and gulls, which con- 

 stantly hover over the shoals 

 and commit unceasing devas- 

 tations among them. Yet in ^^ Uerring. 

 spite of the myriads destroyed 

 by birds and fishes, in spite of the shoals captured by man, in 

 spite of the vast quantity of spawn devoured by other fishes, their 

 numbers seem quite undiminished, and each year they are led by 

 the instinct inculcated iii tjiem by Providence, to visit the shore 



