ESOX. 167 



From the lakes, specimens are produced, weigh- 

 ing forty pounds and six feet long. 



The pike of this country does not differ, essen- 

 tially, from the pike of Europe. If there is any 

 difference, it is solely referable to the color, 

 which we have remarked, varies with the age, 

 and probably too, with the quality of the water in 

 which they reside. 



This fish, when well grown, seems to delight 

 in clear water, near some stone or root, where it will 

 remain hours together, if not frightened; in this 

 situation, it is a common sport to shoot them with 

 a rifle. 



In illustration of their voracious character, we 

 have selected the following facts from different 

 authors. 



In Germany, a mule, in the act of drinking, at 

 a river, was seized by a huge pike, which fastened 

 on its nose, and nearly succeeded in drowning the 

 poor beast. Though the mule, by struggling, aid- 

 ed by the driver, got its nose out of the water, the 

 pike -kept its hold and was drawn on shore and 

 killed. A little girl, not many years since, in dip- 

 ping water from a pond, was attacked by one of 

 these violent creatures, which dreadfully lacera- 

 ted her arm. 



They not only become extremely despotic in 



