THE PRICKLEBAGK. 41 



The Prickleback, or Strickleback, 



Is the smallest of the finny tribe, and is sometimes 

 used as a bait in fishing for Perch : in this case, you 

 must cut off the prickly fin from the back. They are 

 caught in all ditches round London, as well as in most 

 parts in the kingdom, with a small piece of worm, 

 either with or without a hook : a small piece of worm, 

 tied to a yard of thread, and that fastened to a stick, 

 is sufficient for the purpose. The Prickleback, which 

 receives its name from the sharp spines or prickles on 

 its back, seldom grows to the length of two inches, and 

 is short-lived, but is a very bold and voracious Fish, 

 attacking Roach and Dace, twice its size, and destroy- 

 ing very small Fish, and spawn of Fish. It breeds 

 very fast, producing immense numbers ; therefore, 

 those who have Fish ponds should take great care the 

 Prickleback gets not a habitation therein. Prickle- 

 backs are frequently used, in Lincolnshire, for manure, 

 being always very numerous in the fens ; but, some- 

 times, they become so numerous, as to make it neces- 

 sary to separate and find new situations, which hap- 

 pens once in eight years, upon an average ; during 

 which migration, part of the river Welland is almost 

 choked with them, at which time they are collected 

 in nets, sieves, baskets, &c., to the amount of cart 

 loads, and spread on the land as manure, and, I am 

 informed, fertilize it extremely. Pricklebacks are 

 also found in the sea. They are good food for poul- 

 try, which are very fond of them. They produce the 

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