172 ESOCES. 



ed the river shark. Instances have been known of 

 its seizing the hands of people who attempted to 

 grasp them while in the water ; of their devour- 

 ing fish whose size was nearly equal to their own ; 

 and shortly after yielding to the temptation of 

 the angler ; and that, even while their intestines 

 were lacerated and corroded by hooks and wires, 

 which they had previously broken and swal- 

 lowed. 



A single large pike has sometimes depopulated, 

 in a very brief space, a well stocked pond, where 

 it was permitted to commit its ravages with im- 

 punity ; and not confining its attacks to the in- 

 habitants of its native element, has drawn ducks, 

 and other water-fowls under, which had incautious- 

 ly ventured within reach. 



This fish is no less remarkable for its tenacity 

 of life, after being removed from the water, than its 

 vigor while in it snapping at objects presented 

 to it for a long time after it is caught, with as 

 much eagerness as if it were still at liberty. 



A gentleman was once angling for pike, and 

 succeeded in taking a very large one, at which 

 time he was encountered by a shepherd and his 

 dog ; he made the man a present of the fish, and 

 while engaged in clearing his tackle, he saw the 

 dog, who had for some time been expressing his 

 satisfaction by the most unequivocal signs, seat 



