88 A YERTEBRATE FAUNA OF THE MORAY BASIN. 



such as crow-berry, avern-berry {Bubus), and cranberry, and in 

 August were seen flocking at much higher elevations amongst 

 the Cam districts than in normal seasons and under normal 

 conditions. 



But other effects which might seem to have a contrary influence 

 should also be noticed. The drought produced abnormally 

 shrunken rivers. Water-insects generally were destroyed by 

 exposure to the sun and air over nearly one half of the river 

 channels, and trout were confined to one half of their normal water 

 area. The Phryganidse that remained within the limited area 

 — quite one half of the full supply having been destroyed — 

 were ravenously devoured by the trout, which could be seen rooting 

 amongst the larvae on the stones like pigs — tails up and heads 

 down; hence their rapid rise in condition and subsequent rapid 

 falling off. Insect-life, of aquatic origin, on the wing at least, 

 was most remarkably scarce. Long-continued drought of course 

 affected the supply of ground food of other kinds, such as earth- 

 worms, and caused abnormal development of other forms of life. 



On the occasion of a small spate in June (June 22nd), which 

 only affected surface drains, there was an abnormally early run of 

 very small grilse and sea-trout as far up the Avon as Inchrory. 

 The extremely low state of the rivers encouraged an extraordinary 

 growth of weed, and a deep scum or glut of decaying vegetable 

 matter gathered upon the channel. Only by stirring this up with 

 their noses, did the trout succeed in reaching the larvae of caddis 

 and Phryganidse in their cases of sand and stones affixed to the 

 bottom; and fly could not hatch off through this disgusting 

 accumulation of dead vegetable matter — another further reason for 

 the very patent absence of winged insect-life. The absence of 

 fresh-running water or spate- water caused little movement among 

 the larger trout, so that the upper reaches of the rivers were less 

 frequented than usual by them. On the other hand, Salmon 

 hung about the coast and lower river-reaches, and those that were 

 not netted off at a comparatively early date left the coast, or, if 

 late in ascending, rushed past and onward to the upper reaches. 

 We cannot speak positively as to this, but are inclined to think 

 they left the coast. 



