188 



as it cannot master, viz. salmon, trout, perch, &c. of a 

 large growth, avoid him as though he were infected ! 



One exception may however be made to this, other- 

 vise invariable rule, namely, that no jack will touch a 

 tench of any size : on the contrary, he will go and rub 

 against a tench ; especially when sickly or out of season, 

 or after being hooked ; just as though he received benefit 

 or solace from the contact. 



Nor does the tench appear to avoid, or to be any way 

 apprehensive from the visit ; he remains quiet, and allows 

 the^'ac^ to do just as he pleases; seeming to entertain a 

 perfect confidence as to his own safety. Other fishes 

 likewise resort to the tench when sickly, or in painj 

 whence some call it <f thcjiskes' physician." 



The jack spawns generally in March, though some- 

 times in the last week of February, or in the early days 

 of April : according as the weather may be more or less 

 mild. At this period, the females retire among the heavy 

 masses of weed, generally growing at the edges of the 

 waters in shallow places, where she casts her spawn, the 

 male attending her with apparent .solicitude. 



So soon as the spawning is over they return for a few 

 days to the deep water, and during the middle of the day 

 lay on die surface, basking in a state of torpidity, enjoy- 

 ing the warmth, and for the most part, with their faces 

 towards the sun. In this state they are frequently taken, 

 by what is called <f haltering" or " snaring" 



This operation requires a stout pole, such as is used to 

 hay-rakes, &c. at the top a piece of strong cord about 

 two or three feet long is fastened, having at its lower end 

 a piece of stout brass or copper wire, formed into a draw 



loop, 



