148 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. [parti. 



" man to fetch his nets, and by all means to get the 

 " Pike, that they might declare what had happened : 

 " and the Pike was drawn forth, and both his eyes 

 " eaten out ; at which when they began to wonder, 

 " the fisherman wished them to forbear, and as- 

 " sured them he was certain that Pikes were often 

 " so served." 



I told this, which is to be read in the sixth chapter 

 of the first book of Dubravius, unto a friend, who 

 replied, " It was as improbable as to have the mouse 

 " scratch out the cat's eyes." But he did not con- 

 sider, that there be Fishing-Frogs, which the Dal- 

 matians call the Water-devil, of which I might tell 

 you as wonderful a story : but I shall tell you, that 

 'tis not to be doubted, but that there be some Frogs 

 so fearful of the Water-snake, that, when they swim 

 in a place in which they fear to meet with him, 

 they then get a reed across into their mouths, which, 

 if they two meet by accident, secures the Frog from 

 the strength and malice of the snake ; and note, 

 that the Frog usually swims the fastest of the two. 



And let me tell you, that as there be Water and 

 Land-Frogs, so there be Land and Water-snakes. 

 Concerning which, take this observation, that the 

 Land-snake breeds and hatches her eggs, which 

 become young snakes, in some old dunghill, or a 

 like hot place : but the Water-snake, which is not 

 venomous, and, as I have been assured by a great 

 observer of such secrets, does not hatch but breed 

 her young alive ; which she does not then forsake, 

 but bides with them, and in case of danger will 



