for being miserable ill-favoured things. It is you, gentlemen, 

 who, by keeping us in ponds, out of which we cannot get to the 

 streams, which so much tends to improve our condition, that 

 have brought upon us a bad name." 



Some writers relate wonderful stories about the size to which 

 Pike grow, and the voracity of their appetite. Many allege 

 that Pike will grow to the weight of seventy pounds or more, 

 and that it is a common thing for him to swallow a duck for 

 dinner, taking by way of dessert a few frogs, newts, and snails ; 

 rats and mice -making a supper which he relishes. As to size, 

 although I have seen thousands of Pike, I have never looked 

 upon one weighing more than thirty-six pounds. The latter 

 part of the statement cannot be disputed. 



But enough of this, exclaims the young Angler, what I want 

 to know is how to angle for the Pike. Pray come with me for 

 a day's Pike-fishing to-morrow. 



Professor. Well, I will have a day with you to-morrow. 

 Having studied the habits of the Pike during every period of 

 the year ? and having had twenty years practical experience as 

 an Angler, I flatter myself I will be able to teach you how and 

 when he should be fished for. 



Pupil. Well, here we are, and here are the Pike; I can see 

 them in shoals. We shall have good sport to-day, I warrant. 



Professor. Stop, my young friend, you must not get on so 

 fast. I admit you can see them, but neither you nor I can 

 catch them by fair means, and foul means do not become an 

 Angler. I have merely come with you to-day to show you that 

 fishing for Pike now is useless. 



Pupil Why will the fish not bite ? 



Professor. This day is the first of April just the time of 

 the year that Pike deposit their spawn and will not bite. They 

 leave the deep waters at this season and run up dikes, small 

 streams, backwaters, and shallow places, for the purpose of 

 generation, and deposit their spawn among the weeds over 



