chap, i.] THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 27 



leave to free mvself from the last, by offering to 

 you a short contemplation, first of^ rivers and then 

 of fish ; concerning which I doubt not but to give 

 you many observations that will appear very consi- 

 derable : I am sure they have appeared so to me, and 

 made many an hour pass away more pleasantly, as I 

 have sat quietly on a flowery bank by a calm river, 

 and contemplated what I shall now relate to you. 



And first concerning Rivers ; there be so many 

 wonders reported and written of them, and of the 

 several creatures that be bred and live in them ; and 

 those by authors of so good credit, that we need 

 not to deny them an historical faith. 



As namely of a river in Epirus, that puts out any 

 lighted torch, and kindles any torch that was not 

 lighted. Some waters being drank cause madness, 

 some drunkenness, and some laughter to death. 

 The river Selarus in a few hours turns a rod or wand 

 to stone : and our Camden mentions the like in Eng- 

 land, and the like in Loehmere in Ireland. There is 

 also a river in Arabia, of which all the sheep that 

 drink thereof have their wool turned into a vermi- 

 lion colour. And one of no less credit than Aristotle, 

 tells us of a merry river, the river Elusina, that 

 dances at the noise of music, for with music it 

 bubbles, dances, and grows sandy, and so continues 

 till the music ceases, but then it presently returns 

 to it's wonted calmness and clearness. And Camden 

 tells us of a well near to Kirby in Westmoreland, that 

 ebbs and flows several times every day : and he 



