OBSERVATIONS OF THE EEL 



nature are much like the Eel, and frequent both the sea and 

 fresh rivers ; as namely, the Lamprel, the Lamprey, and the 

 Lamperne : as also of the mighty Conger, taken often in Severn 

 about Gloucester ; and might also tell in what high esteem many 

 of them are for the curiosity of their taste ; but these are not 

 so proper to be talked of by me, because they make us Anglers 

 no sport, therefore I will let them alone as the Jews do, to whom 

 they are forbidden by their law. 



And, Scholar, there is also a Flounder, a sea-fish, which 

 will wander very far into fresh rivers, and there lose himself, 

 and dwell and thrive to a hand's breadth, and almost twice so 

 long ; a fish without scales, and most excellent meat, and a fish 

 that affords much sport to the Angler, with any small worm, 

 but especially a little bluish worm, gotten out of marsh-ground 

 or meadows, which should be well scoured ; but this, though it 

 be most excellent meat, yet it wants scales, and is, as I told 

 you, therefore an abomination to the Jews. 



But, Scholar, there is a fish that they in Lancashire boast 

 very much of, called a Char, taken there, and I think there only, 

 in a Mere called Winander-Mere ; a Mere, says Camden, that 

 is the largest in this nation, being ten miles in length, and some 

 say, as smooth in the bottom as if it were paved with polished 

 marble : this fish never exceeds fifteen or sixteen inches in 

 length, and 'tis spotted like a Trout, and has scarce a bone but 

 on the back : but this, though I do not know whether it make 

 the Angler sport, yet I would have you take notice of it, 

 because it is a rarity, and of so high esteem with persons of 

 great note. 



Nor would I have you ignorant of a rare fish called a 

 Guiniad, of which I shall tell you what Camden, and others 

 speak. The river Dee, which runs by Chester, springs in 

 Merionethshire, and as it runs towards Chester, it runs through 

 Pemble-Mere, which is a large water : and it is observed, that 

 though the river Dee abounds with Salmon, and Pemble-Mere 

 with the Guiniad, yet there is never any Salmon caught in the 

 Mere, nor a Guiniad in the river. And now my next observation 

 shall be of the Barbel. 



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