THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 97 



the chub is accounted best, for then it is observed 

 that the forked bones are lost or turned into a kind 

 of gristle, especially if he be baked of cheese 

 and turpentine. He will bite also at a minnow or 

 penk as a trout will, of which I shall tell you 

 more hereafter, and of divers other baits. But 

 take this for a rule, that in hot weather he is to be 

 fished for towards the mid-water, or near the top, 

 and in colder weather nearer the bottom. And if 

 you fish for him on the top with a beetle or any 

 fly, then be sure to let your line be very long, and 

 to keep out of sight. And having told you that 

 his spawn is excellent meat, and that the head of a 

 large cheven, the throat being well washed, is the 

 best part of him, I will say no more of this fish at 

 present, but wish you may catch the next you fish 

 for. 



But lest you may judge me too nice in urging to 

 have the chub dressed so presently after he is 

 taken, I will commend to your consideration how 

 curious former times have been in the like kind. 



You shall read in Seneca's " Natural Questions," 

 lib. iii. cap. 1 7, that the ancients were so curious 

 in the newness of their fish, that that seemed not 

 new enough that was not put alive into the guest's 

 hand. And he says that to that end they did 

 usually keep them living in glass bottles in their 

 dining-rooms ; and they did glory much in their 

 entertaining of friends to have that fish taken from 

 under their table alive that was instantly to be fed 

 upon. And he says they took great pleasure to 

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