248 FISHING GOSSIP. 



7 or 8000 people, and many more thousands of cattle, 

 all supplied from this fountain. The great pond 

 communicates its water to several lesser ones, which 

 disperse it through the whole island." 



" Plenty of fish is an indication of good air and 

 wholesome water. . . . Tibiscus, now called 

 Tyssa, a river in Hungary, is so replenished with fish, 

 that in summer, when the river is low, the people say 

 the river smells of fish. The river Bedrock is said 

 to consist of tAvo parts water and one fish ; on this 

 river is Tockay, famous for its wine. The fecundity 

 of rivers is ascribed to the various salts, which are to 

 be found in the bottom of a river, or washed from its 

 banks." . . . 



" Agricola observes that the water of Steurewald 

 comes forth of a marble quarry, and that such as drink 

 it fasting discover shortly a smell like rotten eggs, 

 and also an odour of brayed marble. . . . Vitriol 

 is a smart acid, and nauseous of itself, yet it is cor- 

 rected by a well-concocted sulphur ; so that some 

 springs, although impregnated with acids, yet taste 

 like milk." Assuredly, then, it is not from Agricola's 

 springs that the London dairies draw their water 

 supplies. 



" Lough Lorn an is famous for its floating island, 

 for fish without fins, and for being frequently tem- 

 pestuous in calm weather ; thereabouts is the merlin, 

 a kind of hawk of small size ; it hath very tender 



