48 THE COMPLETE ANGLER 



And to parallel this cock, there be divers fishes that 

 cast their spawn on flags or stones, and then leave it 

 uncovered and exposed to become a prey and be devoured 

 by vermin, or other fishes ; but other fishes, as namely 

 the barbel, take such care for the preservation of their 

 seed, that unlike to the cock or the cuckoo, they naturally 

 labour, both the spawner and the melter, to cover the 

 spawn with sand or watch it,* or hide it in some secret 

 place, unfrequented by vermin or any fish but themselves. 



Sir, these examples may to you and others seem strange, 

 but they are testified, some by Aristotle, some by Pliny, 

 some by Gesner, and by many others of credit ; and are 

 believed and known by divers both of wisdom and experi- 

 ence, to be a truth ; and indeed are, as I said at the 

 beginning, fit for the contemplation of a most serious and a 

 most pious man. And doubtless, this made the prophet 

 David say, " They that occupy themselves in deep waters 

 see the wonderful works of God ; " indeed such wonders 

 and pleasures too, as the land affords not. 



And that they be fit for the contemplation of the most 

 prudent and pious and peaceable men, seems to be testified 

 by the practice of so many devout and contemplative 

 men, as the patriarchs and prophets of old ; and of the 

 apostles of our Saviour in our latter times, of which twelve, 

 we are sure He chose four that were simple fishermen, 

 whom He inspired and sent to publish His blessed will 

 to the Gentiles ; and inspired them also with a power to 

 speak all languages, and by their powerful eloquence to 

 beget faith in the unbelieving Jews ; and themselves to 

 suffer for that Saviour whom their forefathers and they 

 had crucified ; and, in their sufferings, to preach freedom 

 from the incumbrances of the law, and a new way to ever- 



' No river-flsh ever watches its spawn or ova after deposition. 

 When the ova are deposited by the female, and impregnated by the 

 male fish, and covered in by a superstructure of any substance, 

 they are abandoned by the parents, and left to be vivified by the 

 chemical action of water, sun, and atmosphere. E. 



