Sole. 
Plaice. 
Dab. 
Gurnard. 
Whiting. 
Smelt. 
Breame. 
Shad. 
Mackrell. 
94 ON THE PLACE’ OF FISHIN 
goodness, if in pure gravel improve, and the farther they 
go from sea the better they are. Fish in standing pools, 
unwholesome by reason of impurity of the place, it breedeth 
a very slimy excrementall nourishment, very hurtful to them 
who are subject to gout, and stone, and obstructions of the 
breast. 
The sole is somewhat hard, is remarkable for whiteness 
and purity of substance, pleasant taste, good juice, and far 
exceedeth all other sea-fish ; therefore may be called sea- 
capon. It is verily to be reckoned amongst meats of 
primest note; and for such as are infirm and sick, xox 
magis quam salutaris cibus. Severn soles excell all others. 
Plaice is pleasant to palate, easily digested, and, in the 
judgment of some good men, a good fish. But my opinion 
is that it is watery, and giveth excremental nourishment, 
special if not well grown, It is agreeable to those who are 
by constitution choleric ; but to the phlegmatic very hurtful, 
because it aboundeth with phlegmatic juice. 
The dab, or little plaice, is worse. 
The gurnard is of harder digestion than any of the 
former. The red is the best. Both kinds give good 
nourishment and nothing slimey; therefore they are better 
for the phlegmatic than plaice or flounder. 
The whiting, notwithstanding that it is unsavoury and 
nourisheth little, is much liked. It is easy of digestion, and 
the nourishment which it maketh, if little, is good. The 
younger and smaller are more sweet and pleasant, and give 
the best nourishment. 
Smelts have fragrant odour, which doth commend them 
They delight the palate, and yield good nourishment. 
Breame is somewhat acceptable to the palate, and is of 
meetly good nourishment. It is best for choleric bodies, 
and worse for phlegmatic. Some love to eat the eyes of the 
' preame; but they are very excremental, as are the eyes of 
all fish. 
‘Shad and mackrell are both sweet in taste and soft in 
substance ; they are not very wholesome, quickly producing 
