CHAPTER XVIII 



Of the Minnow or Penk, of the Loach , and of the Bull-head 

 or Miller s 'Thumb. 



ISC. There be also three or four other little fish 

 that I had almost forgot, that are all without 

 scales, and may for excellency of meat be com- 

 pared to any fish of greatest value and largest 

 size. They be usually full of eggs or spawn all 

 the months of summer ; for they breed often, as 

 it is observed mice, and many of the smaller four- 

 footed creatures of the earth do ; and as those, so these, come quickly 

 to their full growth and perfection. And it is needful that they 

 breed both often and numerously, for they be (besides other accidents 

 of ruin) both a prey and baits for other fish. And first, I shall tell 

 you of the minnow or penk. 



The minnow hath, when he is in perfect season, and not sick 

 (which is only presently after spawning), a kind of dappled or waved 

 colour, like to a panther, on his sides, inclining to a greenish and 

 sky-colour, his belly being milk-white, and his back almost black 



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