36 The Complete Angler 



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 mutually labour, both 

 the spawner and the melter, to cover their spawn with 

 sand, or watch it, or hide it in some secret place, un- 

 frequented by vermin or by 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 experience, to be a truth ; and 

 indeed are, as I said at the beginning, fit for the con- 

 templation 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 everlasting life : this was the employ- 

 ment of these happy fishermen. Concerning which 

 choice, some have made these observations: 



