PERCH. 41 



mouthed transparent pickle bottle, and have the bottom cut out. Then 

 tie over the open bottom a piece of thin canvas or calico. Place, then, 

 some small worms or bread in the bottle, then drop the whole apparatus 

 in the stream where there are plenty of minnows, with its mouth look- 

 ing down stream, having a cord, of course, attached to its mouth. The 

 result of this arrangement, if properly made, is that the water perco- 

 lates through the canvas or calico slowly, and eddying currents are 

 formed in the bottle, which retain the worms or bread in a state of per- 

 petual agitation. This attracts the minnows, which, in great numbers 

 sometimes, enter the trap ; and when a sufficient number is there haul 

 up. Of course a casting net obviates this trouble, but so few persons 

 can throw one that I give what may occasionally prove a very useful 

 " dodge." To preserve the minnows when you have them, I should 

 recommend keeping them in a cool place in hard pump water. It 

 is surprising how tough they get, and hardy. Of course this does not 

 increase their longevity to any great extent, so I do not affirm they will 

 keep any lengthened period. In winter, however, they will remain healthy 

 two and three weeks under such conditions. And now a final " wrinkle." 

 When carrying the minnows to the scene of operation do not use a bait 

 can but a few soda water bottles in this wise Fill half full of water, 

 put about a dozen minnows in each, and cork tightly. The shaking 

 *n travelling will sufficiently aerate the water ; and the minnow, under 

 any other circumstances sickly and ill-conditioned, will arrive healthy and 

 lively if even you have to travel fifty miles. 



Having thus in a practical and, I trust, concise manner said all I 

 deem necessary to the tyro, -with a hint perchance to the experienced 

 angler, perhaps I may be allowed to become gossipy in reference to 

 my own achievements with Perca fluviatilis. I have an idea possibly 

 wrong, perhaps right that my readers like a yarn of doughty deeds 

 amongst the finny tribe, especially when such a yarn happens to have 

 foundation in fact. In Mr. Manley's book on "Fish and Fishing" 

 I perceive he notices a splendid catch of perch at Virginia Water, which 

 I communicated to him. With the reader's permission I will narrate the 

 particulars of that day of days. Time, November, 1876. Place for the 

 information of those who do not know it an expansive lake, its edges 

 fringed with alders clothed in the russet hues of late autumn. The silver 

 birches, long since denuded of their leaves, here and there gleaming 

 palely beyond ; the great beeches, yet farther off, on either side also, 

 still retaining their rich brown leaves, crisp and rustling, not yet near 

 falling. Yet, beyond all, on the summits of the inclosing eminences 

 of the lake still and high pines clothed in their solemn and plenteous 

 plumes of dark foliage. The cooing from the doves in the otherwise 



