A HARD-WORKING DIET. 433 



to gout and stone and obstruction of the breast. Those in 

 pure water and gravel soil are best. In meeres and pools 

 not so good. I recommend only those to eat of them who 

 are more addicted to their palate than to their health. More- 

 over, in impure places they oftentimes couple with snakes, 

 and so receive venomous quality, wherefore they are not 

 commendable for any age or temperament. They are most 

 hurtful to the aged, phlegmatic, or subject to obstructions. 

 Roasted or broiled they are least injurious, the fire ex- 

 hausteth their worst qualities. For like reason the powdered 

 eel is wholesome, though not so taken by the dainty- 

 mouthed. To conclude, they are only convenient food for 

 hard labourers, or those who indulge their appetite. 



Crawfish are of meetly good nourishment, and not hard Crawfish. 

 of concoction, yet I do not approve of them for those 

 who have weak stomach, or are subject to obstruction of 

 the mesaraick veines. They are best agreeable to such 

 as are of choleric temperature of body. 



The puffin is neither fish nor flesh, but a mixture of Puffin< 

 both ; for it liveth altogether in the water, yet hath feathers, 

 and flieth as fowls do. Whether they be eaten fresh or 

 powdered, they be of an odious smell and naughty taste 

 are unwholesome. Yet great drinkers esteem well the puffin, 

 because it provoketh them to drink, which is the best faculty 

 it hath. But mark the end of such, and you shall com- 

 monly see them, even in firm and constant age, to have 

 turgid and strouting-out bellies and a dropsie, the upshot of 

 all their outrageous drinkings. 



Fresh fish is the best for food. Salt fish, if it be much 

 eaten, hurteth the sight. 



Of all sorts of salt fish, ling and milwell be the best. Of 

 all other salt fish, those who are careful of their health 

 refrain from using. 



VOL. I, H. 2 F 



