will often clear the rivers in the Peak, and enable the angler to resume the fly-line. 6thly. and lastly, a current between weeds, as at Q, where the bottom is gravel, is a sure harbour for fish: as the weeds not only shelter the Trout, and give him boldness, but also are the lodgings of numerous water insects. All such places are most favourable for sport; for insects follow the same course as the bubbles, &c., and are there sought by the fish.

The larger Trout are on the scours, as at D, in the night, chasing minnows and other small fish. In the day, they are cautiously watching for food in deep holes, under hollow banks, or roots of trees, or in the angles of rocks, as E. In May and June, when the fish are strong, they are chiefly to be found in the more rapid parts of the water, as F; and on the feed, consequently.

These remarks, although not strictly applicable to all streams, may still, perhaps, not be found useless, and particularly in respect of brooks and small rivers.

The great shyness of the Trout renders it extremely difficult to obtain any accurate knowledge of his habits, by ocular demonstration. Even a thick bush will seldom be found sufficiently opaque to conceal the observer.

Observatory.

With a view to obviate this difficulty I built a little fishing Hut, or Observatory, of heath, overhanging a part of the river Blythe, near Uttoxeter, in Staffordshire, which seemed favourable for the purpose. Its form was octagonal, and it had three windows, which being situated only four feet and a half above the surface of the water, allowed a very close view of it. The middle one commanded a Scour, each of the two others a small Whirlpool or Eddy. The curtains of the windows were provided with peepholes, so that the fish could not see his observer, and a bank was thrown up, in order to prevent a person approaching the entrance of the hut from alarming the fish.

The stream was regularly fished, and nothing more was done to interfere with the natural state of its finny occupants.

The stationary position in which the Trout is enabled to maintain himself in the most rapid stream, poised like a hawk in the air, was the first thing which struck us, in our observations. Even the tail, which is known to be the principal organ of propulsion, could scarcely be observed to move, and the fins, which are used to balance him, seemed quite useless, excepting when he saw an insect; then he would dart with the greatest velocity through the opposing current