WHEN OUT OF SEASON. 



85 



the table, before September. For during the first part of 

 summer, they remain long, thin and lanky ; the various 

 spots and golden tinge on their sides and back now lose 

 much of their brightness or brilliancy, and their heads 

 appear unseemly large, because they have then lost that 

 depth and rotundity of body (especially about the vent 

 fin) which they possess when in season ; for a Pike that 

 weighs ten pounds when in full health and vigour would 

 not weigh more than seven or eight while out of season 

 or condition, which they certainly are, and so remain 

 (generally speaking) in all rivers, lakes, meers or ponds, 

 from the month of April, until August or September. 



