chap, xii.] THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 181 



THE FOURTH DAY. 



chap. xii. Observations of the Pearch, and Direc- 

 tions how to Fish for him. 



Piscator. 



JL he Pearch is a very good, and a very bold-biting 

 fish. He is one of the fishes of prey that, like the 

 Pike and Trout, carries his teeth in his mouth, 

 which is very large ; and he dare venture to kill and 

 devour several other kinds of fish. He has a hooked, 

 or hog-back, which is armed with sharp and stiff 

 bristles, and all his skin armed or covered over with 

 thick, dry, hard scales ; and hath, which few other 

 fish have, two fins on his back. He is so bold that 

 he will invade one of his own kind, which the Pike 

 will not do so willingly ; and, you may therefore 

 easily believe him to be a bold biter. 



The Pearch is of great esteem in Italy, saith Al- 

 drovandus ; and especially the least are there esteem- 

 ed a dainty dish. And Gesner prefers the Pearch 

 and Pike above the Trout, or any fresh- water fish : 

 he says, the Germans have this Proverb, " More 

 " wholesome than a Pearch of Rhine : " and he says 

 the River-Pearch is so wholesome, that physicians 

 allow him to be eaten by wounded men, or by men 

 in fevers, or by women in child-bed. 



He spawns but once a year, and is by physicians 

 held very nutritive ; yet, by many, to be hard of 



