NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 299 



the ground-bait for diversion, when designing 

 to drag at the bottom. But what if I direct you 

 a central way, that in my opinion, upon appro- 

 ved practice will intice him ashore in mid- water. 

 Now if the angler design that for his exercise, 

 (in such case) let him make provision of fair and 

 large minews, small gudgeons, or a diminutive 

 dace, (with the artificial use of the swivel to flou- 

 rish his bait) the brightness or gloominess of the 

 day considered : But if the ground-bait be in- 

 tended, which always succeeds best in discoloured 

 waters ; then in such case, prepare for him a well- 

 scoured lob- worm, or knotted dew-worm, drag'd 

 forth of the forest, or any other sterril or barren 

 soil, which as soon as any thing (with dextrous 

 management) will compel him ashore though it 

 cost him his life. I write from experience, for I 

 am not unacquainted with the multiform varie- 

 ty of terrene animals ; as you may read more at 

 large in my following appendix : more especial- 

 ly of those worms that are taken and drag'd 

 forth out of a hard and skirrous earth, which 

 ought to be well depurated (or scoured) two or 

 three days in the finest, cleanest and sweetest 

 moss that fastens it self to the root of the ash- 

 tree ; sprinkling it first with new and sweet ale ; 

 afterwards remember to squeeze it forth, so ope- 

 rate like an artist : but that which is better, and 

 more concordant to my approbation, is fleeted 



