THE CHAVENDER, OR CHUB 



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 the 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 his * Natural Questions,' Lib. 3, 

 Cap. 17, 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 see their Mullets change to several colours, when they were 

 dying. But enough of this, for I doubt I have stayed too long 

 from giving you some observations of the Trout, and how to 

 fish for him, which shall take up the next of my spare time. 



