182 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. [part i. 



digestion. They abound more in the River Po and in 

 England, says Rondeletius, than other parts, and have 

 in their brain a stone, which is, in foreign parts, sold 

 by apothecaries, being there noted to be very me- 

 dicinable against the stone in the reins. These be a 

 part of the commendations which some philoso- 

 phical brains have bestowed upon the fresh-water 

 Pearch : yet they commend the Sea-Pearch, which 

 is known by having but one fin on his back, of 

 which they say, we English see but a few, to be 

 a much better fish. 



The Pearch grows slowly, yet will grow, as I 

 have been credibly informed, to be almost two foot 

 long ; for an honest informer told me, such a one 

 was not long since taken by Sir Abraham Williams, 

 a gentleman of worth, and a Brother of the Angle, 

 that yet lives, and I wish he may. This was a deep- 

 bodied fish, and doubtless durst have devoured a 

 Pike of half his own length ; for I have told you, 

 he is a bold fish, such a one as, but for extreme 

 hunger, the Pike will not devour : for to affright 

 the Pike, and save himself, the Pearch will set up 

 his fins, much like as a turkey-cock will some- 

 times set up his tail. 



But, my Scholar, the Pearch is not only valiant 

 to defend himself, but he is, as I said, a bold-biting 

 fish, yet he will not bite at all seasons of the year ; 

 he is very abstemious in winter, yet will bite then 

 in the midst of the day, if it be warm : and note, 

 that all fish bite best about the midst of a warm 



