in their charters; the old people too shew us a place where cruives were placed; but if ever there has been any thing of this kind here, it has, I imagine, been far from considerable, and long since given up; and, indeed, the nature of our country will not allow salmon-fishings in fresh waters, as there is not a single stream in the country where a salmon could be safe, even for an hour, except the loch of Stenness; but it is is well known that salmon delight much more in clear running streams, than muddy lochs; besides, the entrance is so foul and narrow, that, except when the tide is up, none could enter it. I have no doubt but there are salmon in the sea, and some few of these might be caught, if our folks had the method of fishing them. It is very certain that vast quantities of salmon are caught in the rivers of Caithness, which are right against, and only the frith betwixt them and Orkney; therefore, though the former has the advantage over us in its inland rivers, yet I should think, at the same time of the year, when the fish begin to betake themselves to the bays, in search of the mouths of rivers, we might have a chance to get some small quantity as well as our neighbours. It is certain our bays abound with congenerous fish of several kinds; why then may we not think the salmon at this time pays us a visit, but not finding proper accommodation, retires to more hospitable shores. Species 2.-The Bull Trout. Trutta Salmonata, the Salmon Trout, Bull Trout or Scurf, Raii Syn. Pisc. 63. Wil. Icth. 193, 198. Salmo Trutta, Lin. Syst. 509. Brit. Zool. 249. THIS species is found in great quantities in the loch of Stenness through the whole summer, especially in that part of it which is called the Harra Loch. These grow not to so large a size as the true trout (here called Burn Trout), which are found in the very same places as the former; but these not so much esteemed, as the flesh is always white, and but ordinary. However, there is seldom any distinction made among our commons, but all are eaten. These, as well as others, are caught in small houses, built on our burns, into which the fish can easily make his way, but cannot so easily get back again. However, this is only practicable in harvest, when they begin to make their way into the very smallest burns, in order to spawn. They lose season on spawning, and immediately betake themselves to the sea. Species 3.-The Trout. A Trout, Wil. Icth. 199. Raii Syn. Pisc. 65. Salmo Fario, Lin. Sys. 509. Brit. Zool. 250, Illus. pl. 40. FOUND in every burn in great plenty, so common as to need no description. Seldom grows very large in our burns. I have heard of a species of trout got in some of the lakes, both here and in Shetland (but what species I know not), weighing twenty-three to thirty-six or more pounds; but these, I dare say, are uncommon. Species 4.-The Parr. Brit. Zool. III. No. PRETTY frequent in the shallower lakes and clear burns, though not in such numbers as I have observed them in Scotland. Seldom grows above six inches in length. What distinguishes this from the other species of trout, is a row of large bluish spots on each side, lying transversely along the side line, which is peculiar to this fish. Species 5.-The Char. Wil. Icth. 196. Raii Syn. Pisc. 65. Lin. Sys. 510. Brit. Zool. 256, pl. 15. VERY infrequent with us, though sometimes seen in the loch of Stenness. I have not seen above a couple of specimens. Perhaps we know not the method of catching them, or the season may differ here from other places where they are found. However this is, they are not much known. It is the beautiful red on the belly which distinguishes them from the other trout of the loch, and is a sufficient mark to strike the most inattentive observer. Species 6.-The Grayling. A Grayling or Umber, Wil. Icth. 187. lus, Lin. Sys. 512. Raii Syn. Pisc. 62. Salmo Thymal- THIS species is found very frequent with us; caught with a fly, to which it rises very freely, and struggles hard for life. Swims very quick; leaps much, especially when struck with a hook, when the nieest hand is required to hinder its breaking the line, nor is it easily tired. This species is caught of different sizes, from a foot to eighteen inches long. GENUS XXII.-THE ARGENTINE. Gen. Char.-Teeth in the jaws and tongue; eight branchiostegous rays; vent near the tail; the ventral fins composed of many rays. Species 1.-The Argentine. Pisciculus Romæ Argentina dictus, Wil. Icth. 229. Raii Syn. Pisc. 108. Argentina Sphyræna, Lin. Sys. 518. Brit. Zool. 276. Brit. Zool. Illus. 42, tab. 48. THIS beautiful little fish was given me by a boy, who said he found it in the edge of the water, among the sea-ware. It was not above an inch in length; seemed very delicate; the colours good; the back greenish, spotted with darker clouds; the belly a fine silver; but it lost all its fine colours when kept dry. All the fins were soft; and the tail membrane, as well as those of the other fins, was very thin. I suppose these are scarce on our coasts, as I never saw but this one. Ff |