424 



ON THE PLACE OF FISH IN 



Sole. 



Plaice. 



Dab. 

 Gurnard. 



Whiting. 



Smelt. 

 Breame. 



Shad. 

 Mackrell. 



goodness, if in pure gravel improve, and the farther they 

 go from sea the better they are. Fish in standing pools, 

 unwholesome by reason of impurity of the place, it breedeth 

 a very slimy excrementall nourishment, very hurtful to them 

 who are subject to gout, and stone, and obstructions of the 

 breast. 



The sole is somewhat hard, is remarkable for whiteness 

 and purity of substance, pleasant taste, good juice, and far 

 exceedeth all other sea-fish ; therefore may be called sea- 

 capon. It is verily to be reckoned amongst meats of 

 primest note; and for such as are infirm and sick, non 

 magis qndm salutaris cibus. Severn soles excell all others. 



Plaice is pleasant to palate, easily digested, and, in the 

 judgment of some good men, a good fish. But my opinion 

 is that it is watery, and giveth excremental nourishment, 

 special if not well grown. It is agreeable to those who are 

 by constitution choleric ; but to the phlegmatic very hurtful, 

 because it aboundeth with phlegmatic juice. 



The dab, or little plaice, is worse. 



The gurnard is of harder digestion than any of the 

 former. The red is the best. Both kinds give good 

 nourishment and nothing slimey ; therefore they are better 

 for the phlegmatic than plaice or flounder. 



The whiting, notwithstanding that it is unsavoury and 

 nourisheth little, is much liked. It is easy of digestion, and 

 the nourishment which it maketh, if little, is good. The 

 younger and smaller are more sweet and pleasant, and give 

 the best nourishment. 



Smelts have fragrant odour, which doth commend them 

 They delight the palate, and yield good nourishment. 



Breame is somewhat acceptable to the palate, and is of 

 meetly good nourishment. It is best for choleric bodies, 

 and worse for phlegmatic. Some love to eat the eyes of the 

 breame ; but they are very excremental, as are the eyes of 

 all fish. 



Shad and mackrell are both sweet in taste and soft in 

 substance ; they are not very wholesome, quickly producing 



