chap, i.] THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 9 



necessity, that no creature whatsoever — not only 

 those numerous creatures that feed on the face of 

 the earth, hut those various creatures that have 

 their dwelling within the waters, every creature 

 that hath life in it's nostrils stands in need of my 

 element. The waters cannot preserve the fish 

 without air, witness the not breaking of ice in an 

 extreme frost : the reason is, for that if the inspir- 

 ing and expiring organ of any animal be stopped, 

 it suddenly yields to nature, and dies. Thus neces- 

 sary is air to the existence both of fish and beasts, 

 nay, even to man himself ; that air, or breath of life 

 with which God at first inspired mankind, Gen. ii. 7. 

 he, if he wants it, dies presently, becomes a sad 

 object to all that loved and beheld him, and in an 

 instant turns to putrefaction. 



Nay more, the very birds of the air, those that 

 be not hawks, are both so many and so useful and 

 pleasant to mankind, that I must not let them pass 

 without some observations : they both feed and re- 

 fresh him ; feed him with their choice bodies, and 

 refresh him with their heavenly voices. I will not 

 undertake to mention the several kinds of fowl by 

 which this is done ; and his curious palate pleased 

 by day, and which with their very excrements afford 

 him a soft lodging at night : — These I will pass by, 

 but not those little nimble musicians of the air, that 

 warble forth their curious ditties, with which nature 

 hath furnished them to the shame of art. 



As first the Lark, when she means to rejoice, to 



