WATER-WITCHES. 21 



our tenderness and benevolence. I think so 

 too, and would, therefore, avoid the cruelty of 

 either threading a fine, lively worm on a hook, 

 or even of killing fish, as mere baits for other 

 fish. Our forefathers may stand more excused 

 for this practice than ourselves ; since, in their 

 days, the admirable imitations and inventions 

 of modern times were, of course, unknown. 



By what distinctive appellation to designate 

 the specimens given in Plate I., figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 

 I know not. The adopter may apply any 

 name he fancies, and, lest he should have none 

 at hand, Water-witch will answer the purpose, 

 and be correctly expressive too, for nothing so 

 witching was ever before made acquainted with 

 water ; as far, at least, as trout-fishing is con- 

 cerned. 



With these have I killed more fish than with 

 either the real Minnow or any artificial bait of 

 the kind I ever used. 



The experience of every angler must have 

 thoroughly impressed upon his mind the fiict, 

 that even with the real Minnow he has missed 

 very many more fish than he has killed. Xow, 



B 3 



