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r; to the top of this turf; on the green side; you shall; with a needle and green thread; fasten one by one; as many little red worms as will near cover all the turf: then take a round board or trencher; make a hole in the middle thereof; and through the turf placed on the board or trencher; with a string or cord as long as is fitting; tied to a pole; let it down to the bottom of the water; for the fish to feed upon without disturbance about two or three days; and after that you have drawn it away; you may fall to; and enjoy your former recreation。

B。 A。





The fourth day…continued

On the Tench

Chapter XI

Piscator

The Tench; the physician of fishes; is observed to love ponds better than rivers; and to love pits better than either: yet Camden observes; there is a river in Dorsetshire that abounds with Tenches; but doubtless they retire to the most deep and quiet places in it。

This fish hath very large fins; very small and smooth scales; a red circle about his eyes; which are big and of a gold colour; and from either angle of his mouth there hangs down a little barb。 In every Tench's head there are two little stones which foreign physicians make great use of; but he is not commended for wholesome meat; though there be very much use made of them for outward applications。 Rondeletius says; that at his being at Rome; he saw a great cure done by applying a Tench to the feet of a very sick man。 This; he says; was done after an unusual manner; by certain Jews。 And it is observed that many of those people have many secrets yet unknown to Christians; secrets that have never yet been written; hut have been since the days of their Solomon; who knew the nature of all things; even from the cedar to the shrub; delivered by tradition; from the father to the son; and so from generation to generation; without writing; or; unless it were casually; without the least communicating them to any other nation or tribe; for to do that they account a profanation。 And; yet; it is thought that they; or some spirit worse than they; first told us; that lice; swallowed alive; were a certain cure for the yellow…jaundice。 This; and many other medicines; were discovered by them; or by revelation; for; doubtless; we attained them not by study

Well; this fish; besides his eating; is very useful; both dead and alive; for the good of mankind。 But I will meddle no more with that; my honest; humble art teaches no such boldness: there are too many foolish meddlers in physick and divinity that think themselves fit to meddle with hidden secrets; and so bring destruction to their followers。 But I'll not meddle with them; any farther than to wish them wiser; and shall tell you next; for I hope I may be so bold; that the Tench is the physician of fishes; for the Pike especially; and that the Pike; being either sick or hurt; is cured by the touch of the Tench。 And it is observed that the tyrant Pike will not be a wolf to his physician; but forbears to devour him though he be never so hungry。

This fish; that carries a natural balsam in him to cure both himself and others; loves yet to feed in very foul water; and amongst weeds。 And yet; I am sure; he eats pleasantly; and; doubtless; you will think so too; if you taste him。 And I shall therefore proceed to give you some few; and but a few; directions how to catch this Tench; of which I have given you these observations。

He will bite at a paste made of brown bread and honey; or at a Marsh… worm; or a lob…worm; he inclines very much to any paste with which tar is mixt; and he will bite also at a smaller worm with his head nipped off; and a cod…worm put on the hook before that worm。 And I doubt not but that he will also; in the three hot months; for in the nine colder he stirs not much; bite at a flag…worm or at a green gentle; but can positively say no more of the Tench; he being a fish I have not often angled for; but I wish my honest scholar may; and be ever fortunate when he fishes。





The fourth day…continued

On the Perch

Chapter XII

Piscator and Venator

Piscator。 The Perch is a very good and very bold biting fish。 He is one of the fishes of prey that; like the Pike and Trout; carries his teeth in his mouth; which is very large: and he dare venture to kill and devour several other kinds of fish。 He has a hooked or hog back; which is armed with sharp and stiff bristles; and all his skin armed; or covered over with thick dry hard scales; and hash; which few other fish have; two fins on his back。 He is so bold that he will invade one of his own kind; which the Pike will not do so willingly; and you may; therefore; easily believe him to be a bold biter。

The Perch is of great esteem in Italy; saith Aldrovandus: and especially the least are there esteemed a dainty dish。 And Gesner prefers the Perch and Pike above the Trout; or any fresh…water fish: he says the Germans have this proverb; 〃 More wholesome than a Perch of Rhine 〃: and he says the River…Perch is so wholesome; that physicians allow him to be eaten by wounded men; or by men in fevers; or by women in child…bed。

He spawns but once a year; and is; by physicians; held very nutritive; yet; by many; to be hard of digestion。 They abound more in the river Po; and in England; says Rondeletius; than other parts: and have in their brain a stone; which is; in foreign parts; sold by apothecaries; being there noted to be very medicinable against the stone in the reins。 These be a part of the commendations which some philosophical brains have bestowed upon the freshwater Perch: yet they commend the Sea…Perch which is known by having but one fin on his back; of which they say we English see but a few; to be a much better fish。

The Perch grows slowly; yet will grow; as I have been credibly informed; to be almost two feet long; for an honest informer told me; such a one was not long since taken by Sir Abraham Williams; a gentleman of worth; and a brother of the angle; that yet lives; and I wish he may: this was a deep…bodied fish; and doubtless durst have devoured a Pike of half his own length。 For I have told you; he is a bold fish; such a one as but for extreme hunger the Pike will not devour。 For to affright the Pike; and save himself; the Perch will set up his fins; much like as a turkey…cock will sometimes set up his tail。

But; my scholar; the Perch is not only valiant to defend himself; but he is; as I said; a bold…biting fish: yet he will not bite at all seasons of the year; he is very abstemious in winter; yet will bite then in the midst of the day; if it be warm: and note; that all fish bite best about the midst of warm day in winter。 And he hath been observed; by some; not usually to bite till the mulberry…tree buds; that is to say; till extreme frosts be past the spring; for; when the mulberry…tree blossoms; many gardeners observe their forward fruit to be past the danger of frosts; and some have made the like observation of the Perch's biting。

But bite the Perch will; and that very boldly。 And; as one has wittily observed; if there be twenty or forty in a hole; they may be; at one standing; all catched one after another; they being; as he says; like the wicked of the world; not afraid; though their fellows and companions perish in their sight。 And you may observe; that they are not like the solitary Pike; but love to accompany one another; and march together in troops。

And the baits for this bold fish are not many: I mean; he will bite as well at some; or at any of these three; as at any or all others whatsoever: a worm; a minnow; or a little frog; of which you may find many in hay… time。 And of worms; the dunghill worm called a brandling I take to be best; being well scoured in moss or fennel; or he will bite at a worm that lies under cow…dung; with a bluish head。 And if you rove for a Perch with a minnow; then it is best to be alive; you sticking your hook through his back fin; or a minnow with the hook in his upper lip; and letting him swim up and down; about mid…water; or a little lower; and you still keeping him to about that depth by a cork; which ought not to be a very little one: and the like way you are to fish for the Perch with a small frog; your hook being fastened through the skin of his leg; towards the upper part of it: and; lastly; I will give you but this advice; that you give the Perch time enough when he bites; for there was scarce ever any angler that has given him too much。 And now I think best to rest myself; for I have almost spent my spirits with talking so long。

Venator。 Nay; good master; one fish more; for you see it rains still: and you know our angles are like money put to usury; they may thrive; though we sit still; and do nothing but talk and enjoy one another。 Come; come; the other fish; good master。

Piscator。 But; scholar; have you nothing to mix with this discourse; which now grows both tedious and tiresome ? Shall I have nothing from you; that seem to have both a good memory and a cheerful spirit?

Venator。 Yes; master; I will speak you a copy of verses that were made by Doctor Donne; and made to shew the world that he could make soft and smooth verses; when he thought smoothness worth his labour: and I love them the better; because they allude to Rivers; and Fish and Fishi

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