i64 n:e B RI T I S H A N G LE R. P.II. 



might inform themfelves fully of what had hap- 

 pened. The Pike was accordingly drawn forth, 

 with both his Eyes eaten out : And when the 

 two Bifhops began to wonder at this Spedtacle, 

 the Fifherman declared there was no Ground 

 for their Surprize, and afTured them he was 

 certain that Pikes were often fo ferved. 



Mr. Walton ^LVguts for the Probability of this 

 Story from what is obferved of the Fijhing- 

 Fr^^jCalled by the Bahnatians the Water-Devil^ 

 and of the Cunning of fome of our own Frogs 

 here in England, who are fo fearful and cau- 

 tious of the Water-fnake, that when they fwim 

 in a Place where they expecft to meet with 

 him, they get a Reed acrofs in their Mouths, 

 which, if they encounter their Enemy, fecures 

 the feeble Animals from his Strength and Ma- 

 lice, till they get away by fwifter Swimming. 



But to proceed : The Pike ufualiy feeds on 

 Fijh or Frogs, and fometimes on a Weed of 

 his own, called Pickerel-weed, I have already 

 taken notice of the vulgar Opinion, that Pikes 

 are bred of this Weed. They who maintain 

 it afiert, that where none have been put into 

 Ponds, yet they have been there found in A- 

 bundance ; and that there has always been 

 Plenty of that Weed in fuch Ponds. But this, 

 admit it be true, is far from being a fuiHcient 

 Argument againfl an univerfal Law of Na- 

 ture, which holds in Vegetables as well as 

 Animals, That Nothing can be produced but 

 by the Seed of its own Species. Even the Flies 

 in corrupted Flefh are no otherwife the EfFe(5l 



of 



