THEIR BREEDING AGE, &c. 83 



prolific, as to produce a hundred and forty thousand and 

 more eggs in one roe. Of those circumstances respecting 

 the age, &c. of Jack and Pike, I must confess, I know 

 but little, therefore, shall say nothing more on the subject, 

 leaving the curious to consult natural history, during 

 unfavorable weather ; but instead thereof, will inform the 

 angler where he is likely to find both old and young, large 

 and small Jack and Pike, so that he may avoid much loss 

 of time and fruitless labour when in search of them. 



Jack and Pike are partial to quiet retired places, where 

 the water is rather shallow than deep, forming a bend or 

 bay in rivers and large waters, and also removed from 

 strong currents, especially if those bends or bays abound 

 with their favorite weed, the pickerell (on which they are 

 said to feed) also the cahdock or water lilly, and the 

 shore sides are shaded with tall sedgy sags. Among those 

 sedges Jack and Pike lay (especially during floods, heavy 

 runs of water, and while the water is thick) a foot or two 

 below the surface, with their noses just projecting from 

 the sedges, looking up stream for what may come within 

 their reach as food ; therefore the angler, when he trolls 

 in thick heavy water, must try close in shore. 



But when the weather is fine, and the water of a proper 

 colour Jack and Pike occasionally go some yards from their 

 haunts, in search of food, particularly to the sharps, shal- 

 lows, and parts of waters where the bottom is clean, sandy, 

 G 2 



