Page:British Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fresh-water Fishes.djvu/92

BRITISH FRESH-WATER FISHES to a few parts of Southern Scotland. It claims kinship with the Salmonidæ Family, and the scientific name of Thymallus—thyme—has been conferred because of the delicate flavour of the white flesh resembling the aromatic herb mentioned. It is a beautiful silvery fish, and is characterised by the long and rounded dorsal fin, bearing from 20 to 25 rays. It has gentler habits than its cousin, the Trout, quietly searching for insects at the surface without any attempt at showing oif. It revels in a clear fast-flowing stream, and whilst waters that shelter GrayUng also contain Trout, all waters that hold Trout do not also hold Grayling. At times, it resorts to the shallows, but the angler knows full well that the big fish must be sought for in the deep pools. It is said to perpetrate harm by consuming the spawn of Trout, but it also takes molluscs, shrimps, the larvae of insects, etc. It spawns from March to May on a shallow gravel-bed, the eggs being laid in a depression made by the fish. These hatch out in about fourteen days. The Grayling comes into request when the Trout is out of season, and is then much sought after by the disciple of Izaak Walton. Silvery-grey and white are the dominant colours on the sides and under parts, with greenish-brown, or purplish, along the back. The dorsal fin is barred with several rows of bluish-black spots, and as a rule there are some of these on the sides of the body. The name Grayling (it is also called the Umber) has been accorded because of the greyish colour. The maximum weight in Britain is 4 to 5 pounds. 74