CH. VI.] ARTIFICIAL SPATE. 89 
head, first manifesting itself by a small white spot 
on it, and subsequently producing blindness, 
numbers having been known to die from this 
cause. The flesh is said not to be affected by this 
disease, but to remain perfectly good for the table. 
A gentleman with whom I am acquainted, and 
who rents a river running into the head of a loch, 
in ——shire, thought it would be possible, by an 
artificial spate, to induce any Salmon which might 
be waiting for a natural one to ascend his river. 
Accordingly he had a large dam constructed across 
it, so as to head back a considerable quantity of 
water. Some weeks of dry weather ensued, during 
which his fishing was at a stand-still, and the 
neighbouring farmers took advantage of the pool 
thus. formed for the purpose of washing their 
sheep, for which operation it afforded a convenient 
place. At length his patience became exhausted, 
and a number of Salmon having become congre- 
gated at the head of the loch, he caused the sluice 
of his dam to be raised, and down rushed his 
spate. Instead, however, of the Salmon taking 
advantage of it to ascend his river, they, disgusted 
at the foulness and staleness of the water, turned 
tail and retreated before it; the proof being that 
on that night a large number were caught in the 
