172 ESOCES. 



ed the river shark. Instances have been known of 

 its seizing the hands of people who attempted to 

 grasp them while in the water ; — of their devour- 

 ing fish whose size was nearly equal to their own ; 

 — and shortly after yielding to the temptation of 

 the angler ; and that, even while their intestines 

 were lacerated and corroded by hooks and wires, 

 which they had previously broken and swal- 

 lowed. 



A single large pike has sometimes depopulated, 

 in a very brief space, a well stocked pond, where 

 it was permitted to commit its ravages with im- 

 punity ; — and not confining its attacks to the in- 

 habitants of its native element, has drawn ducks, 

 and other water-fowls under, which had incautious- 

 ly ventured within reach. 



This fish is no less remarkable for its tenacity 

 of life, after being removed from the water, than its 

 vigor while in it — snapping at objects presented 

 to it for a long time after it is caught, with as 

 much eagerness as if it were still at liberty. 



A gentleman was once angling for pike, and 

 succeeded in taking a very large one, at which 

 time he was encountered by a shepherd and his 

 dog ; he made the man a present of the fish, and 

 while engaged in clearing his tackle, he saw the 

 dog, who had for some time been expressing his 

 satisfaction by the most unequivocal signs, seat 



