38 MINNOWS AND 



The passage is thus recorded in the " Curiosities 

 of Literature : " — 



" The King of Bithynia, in some expedition 

 against the Scythians, in the winter, and at a 

 great distance from the sea, had a violent longing 

 for a small fish called aphy, a pilchard, a herring, 

 or an anchovy. His cook cut a turnip to the 

 perfect imitation of its shape ; then fried in oil, 

 salted, and well powdered with the grains of a 

 dozen black poppies. His Majesty's taste was so 

 exquisitely deceived, that he praised the root to 

 his guests as an excellent fish ! " 



Of what did duty for the bones the writer 

 makes no mention; and much I fear me the 

 art of making turnip-fish is unknown to us 

 degenerate moderns, for the cook of Bithynia's 

 king, in the jealousy of his trade, no doubt 

 omitted, in his receipt, some principal ingredients. 



With regard to Trout, there is a very curious 

 fact — he will take a spinning bait even in the 

 midst of living Minnows. This singularity 

 must have been noticed by many as well as by 

 myself. It has been accounted for, and from 

 my own observation I think correctly, by sup- 



