FISHES. 385 
THE GRAYLING (Sabno thymallus,) 
Is longer than the trout, and measures sometimes twenty 
inches in length. The back and sides are of a silvery 
grey, and when the fish is first taken out of the water, 
slightly varied with blue and gold. The coverts of the 
gills are of a glossy green, and the scales are large. 
The Grayling is a fresh-water fish, and delights chiefly 
in clear and rapid streams, where it affords great amuse- 
ment to the angler. Graylings are very voracious, and 
rise eagerly to the fly. They are bolder fish than trout, 
and even, if missed several times successively, they will 
still pursue. They feed principally on worms, insects, 
and water-snails ; and the shells of the latter are often 
found in great quantity in their stomachs. They spawn 
in the months of April and May. The largest fish of this 
species ever heard of was one caught in the Severn, which 
weighed five pounds. 
Ancient writers strongly recommended these fish as food 
for sick persons ; they considered them to be peculiarly 
wholesome, and easy of digestion. 
