with a long line in rapid streams, in the same way as the artificial fly, except that it is fished up the stream; that is, the angler throws his line into the stream above where he stands, and allows it to float down opposite to him, when he makes another throw; by this means he always keeps his line slack, and the May-fly floats on the surface, which is essential to his success.  I mention these two methods of angling because both are practised in bright weather, and therefore prove that fish both discern and feed in such days.  I believe the fact is, that at such times they frequently see too well for the angler, and are consequently aware that his artificial flies are not what they seem to be.  Fishes, particularly Par and Grayling, may be seen rising by dozens at the small flies (midges) which abound in sunny weather, yet the angler is unable to hook a single fish.  First-rate anglers are well aware of this, and abandon their larger flies as the summer advances, use smaller hooks, dress their flies much finer, and substitute horsehair for the fishing-gut, when they can procure it of good quality.

* * * * *

LAMPREYS.

Lampreys abound in the Ribble.  Some of them, of the large species (Petromyzon marinus), weigh three and four pounds each, [12] but owing to a prejudice against them (I suppose on account of their ugliness) they are seldom eaten.  I will illustrate this prejudice by giving the remark of a keen fisherman to myself, on my saying that I should eat a large one I had just caught.  “Well,” said he, “if you can manage to eat such a thing as that, you would not stick at devouring a child in the small-pox.”  This, if not an elegant, was at least a forcible expression of his opinion on the subject, and this dislike of them is almost universal in this neighbourhood. (Jan. 17th 1832.)

“An Old Angler,” in the “Magazine of Natural History,” having questioned the assertion of Sir Everard Home that the Lamprey was hermaphrodite—­in fact, that all were spawners and emitted eggs—­ the following was addressed to the “Magazine of Natural History":—­

When I had the pleasure of writing to you before, I had either overlooked or forgotten the queries of “An Old Angler” respecting the Lamprey.  However, your remarks have induced me to pay a little more attention to the subject.  I can now confirm in the strongest and most conclusive manner the supposition of “An Old Angler” that the sexes are as distinct in the Lamprey as they are in the Cod or Herring.  How so distinguished an anatomist as Sir Everard Home fell into such a mistake, it is not for me to say; but I am as certain that the sexes are distinct in the Lamprey as that they are so in any other animal, and I will now give my reasons for making this positive assertion.