268 
NATURAL HISTORY 
known, was irr no esteem among the ancients. It is said 
to be in season from March to September. It is, how- 
ever, fatter from the middie to the end of August, than at 
any other time. 
The trout is not easily caught wifJi a line, being at all 
times exceedingly circumspect. The baits used are 
worms or artificial flies. The season for fishing is from 
March till Michaelmas. Cloudy weather is generally 
preferred for angling, but there is no particular time of 
the day. 
Grayling. ( Salmo . PI. 46.) This fish is of a very ele- 
gant form; the body is less deep than that of the trout: 
the head small, with protuberant eyes, the irides of which 
are silvery, speckled with yellow; the mouth is of a mid- 
dle size, and the upper jaw the largest. The teeth are 
very minute, seated in the jaws and roof of the moutli v 
and feel like a fine file; the head is dusky, the covers of 
the gills of a glossy green, yet when in prime perfection, 
these parts are blackish; the back is of a dusky green, in- 
clining to blue; the sides of a fine silvery gray; yet, when 
first taken, they seem to glitter with spangles of gold, and 
are marked with black spots irregularly placed. The 
side line is nearly straight; the scales are large, and the 
lower edges dusky, forming straight rows from the head 
to the tail, which is much forked: the large dorsal fin is 
spotted, the other fins are plain; it is rather hog-backed, 
and, from the nose and belly touching the ground toge- 
ther, it is supposed that this fish feeds mostly at the bot- 
tom. 
The grayling haunts rapid and clear streams, particu- 
larly such as flow from mountainous countries. In Lap- 
land, (where it is very common,) the inhabitants use its 
entrails, instead of rennet, to make the cheese, which 
they get from the milk of the rein deer. The grayling 
seldom exceeds sixteen inches in length; yet one was 
taken, about half a yard long, and weighing four pounds 
six ounces; and one was caught which weighed full five 
pounds. 
These fish bite during the whole of cool, cloudy days; 
but the preferable time in spring and summer is from 
