CARP AND TENCH. 93 



fish composing the group of which it is the type, 

 whilst the scales of the Tench are amongst the 

 smallest, if not actually the most minute of the 

 whole family ; and whilst the former fish makes 

 one of the best Pike live baits that I am acquainted 

 with, the latter, it is affirmed, exerts upon that 

 usually omnivorous gourmand an effect absolutely 

 repellent. Of the truth of this fact, as a fact, there 

 seems to be no reason to doubt, though we are not, 

 of course, bound to put implicit faith in the various 

 theories by which it has at different times been 

 explained. Of these the most universally accepted 

 amongst ancient, and even by some modern 

 authors, appears to be that the Tench is in some 

 way the physician of the water, possessing in the 

 thick slime with which he is covered, a natural 

 balsam for the cure of himself and others. Camden, 

 in his " Britannica," says that he has seen the bellies 

 of Pike, which have been rent open, have their 

 gaping wounds presently closed by the touch of the 

 Tench, and by his glutinous slime perfectly healed 

 up. The Pike, in return, it is asserted, refuses to 

 molest his physician, even when most pressed by 

 hunger a statement in the accuracy of which 



