ip8 TZ?^ B R I T I S H ANGLER. P.Il. 



them from the Place they contend for. This is 

 the 5^r^^/'j conftant Cuftom in Summer, when 

 he and mofi: living Creatures fport themfelves 

 in the Sun : But at the Approach of Winter, 

 he forfakes the fwift Streams and fhallow Wa- 

 ters, and by degrees retires to thofe Parts of 

 the River that are more quiet and deep ; in 

 which Places he fpawns, and, with the Help 

 of the Melter^ hides his Spawn or Eggs in 

 Holes, which they both dig in the Gravel, 

 and then mutually labour to cover it with the 

 fame Sand, to prevent it from being devour- 

 ed by other Fifh. The Spawn of a Barbel^ 

 tho* not abfolutely Poifon, as fome imagine, 

 is however dangerous Meat, and efpecially in 

 the Month o^ May, yet it. is fometimes taken 

 by the Country People for a violent Purge or 

 Vomit. 



This FiHi is -of a fine Cafl, with fmall 

 Scaler, which are placed after a mod exad and 

 curiousManner. Tho' he be not delicately good, 

 yet his Fiefh is tender, eafy of Conco6tion, 

 and very nutritious. His greateft Fault is, 

 that he is very bony. Both the Chub and he 

 have loft part of their Credit by ill Cookery, 

 they being reputed the coarfeft of frefh Water 

 Flfh : But tiie Barbel affords an Angler fine 

 Sport, being a ftrong and a cunning Fifh ; fo 

 ftrong and cunning, as to often endanger the 

 breaking of the Tackle, by running his Head 

 forcibly towards any Covert, Hole, or Bank, 

 and then ilrlking at the Line, to break it oft 

 with his Tail. Pie is ali> fo artful as to nibble 



and 



