146 THE COMPLETE ANGLER 



and assured them he was certain that pikes were often so 

 served." 



I told this, which is to be read in the sixth chapter of 

 the first book of Dubravius, unto a friend, who replied, " It 

 was as improbable as to have the mouse scratch out the 

 cat's eyes." But he did not consider, that there be fishing 

 frogs, which the Dalmatians call the water-devil, of which 

 I might tell you as wonderful a story ; but I shall tell you, 

 that 'tis not to be doubted, but that there be some frogs 

 so fearful of the water-snake, that, when they swim in a 

 place in which they fear to meet with him, they then get 

 a reed across into their mouths, which, if they two meet 

 by accident, secures the frog from the strength and malice 

 of the snake ; and note, that the frog usually swims the 

 fastest of the two. 



And let me tell you, that as there be water and land- 

 frogs, so there be land and water-snakes. Concerning 

 which, take this observation, that the land-snake breeds 

 and hatches her eggs, which become young snakes, in some 

 old dunghill, or a like hot place ; but the water-snake, 

 which is not venomous, and, as I have been assured by a 

 great observer of such secrets, does not hatch, but breed 

 her young alive, which she does not then forsake ; but 

 bides with them, and in case of danger will take them all 

 into her mouth and swim away from any apprehended 

 danger, and then let them out again when she thinks all 

 danger to be passed ; these be accidents that we anglers 

 sometimes see, and often talk of. 



But whither am I going ? I had almost lost myself, by 

 remembering the discourse of Dubravius. I will therefore 

 stop here, and tell you, according to my promise, how 

 to catch the pike. 



His feeding is usually of fish or frogs, and sometimes a 

 weed of his own called pickerel-weed, of which I told you 

 some think pikes are bred ; for they have observed, that 

 where none have been put into ponds, yet they have there 



