112 THE SPORTING FISH 



mentioned that to try the experiment practically, 

 I procured some small Tench, and fished with 

 them as live-baits for a whole day in some excel- 

 lent Pike water, but without getting a touch. In 

 the evening I put on a small Carp, and had a run 

 almost immediately. I also tried some Pike in a 

 stock-pond with the same Tench, but they would 

 not take them ; and though left in the pond all 

 niofht— one on a hook, and one attached to a fine 

 thread — both baits were alive in the morning, — 

 some Pike-teeth marks, however, being visible 

 upon the hooked fish. 



These are facts which (having occurred within 

 my own knowledge) I can mention with certainty, 

 but at the same time without expressing any 

 opinion as to the truth or otherwise of the theories 

 by which the curious in ichthyology would propose 

 to explain them. The whole question would form 

 a very interesting and legitimate subject for expe- 

 riment to any one who might have leisure and 

 inclination to investigate it practically. 



The notion of the Tench being the Pike's phy- 

 sician has been thus admirably versified : — 



" The Pike, fell tyrant of the liquid plain, 

 With ravenous waste devours his fellow train : 

 Yet howsoe'er by raging famine pined. 

 The Tench he spares — a medicinal kind ; 

 For when, by wounds distrest and sore disease, 

 He courts the salutary fish for ease, 

 Close to his scales the kind physician glides. 

 And sweats a healing balsam from his sides." 



