135 



and that the redundancy is allowed to pass over by arrf 

 small channel, made or left for that purpose, the fishes 

 will more resemble such as are taken from a miming wa- 

 ter, than those which have been bred in a pond, however 

 extensive, supplied entirely either by rains, or by bottom- 

 springs. 



When there is such a draught into a pond, or sheet of 

 water, the large fishes will remain near to the inlet, await- 

 ing the arrival of such eatable rubbish as may accidentally 

 be brought down by the current, and ready to seize such 

 minnows, gudgeons, and other small fishes, as may ven- 

 ture into the expanse. 



The many local circumstances which may characterize 

 a pond in respect to its situation, the nature of its borders, 

 the depth and colour of its waters, the kinds and quan- 

 tity of fishes it may contain, and a number of matters 

 which immediately strike the eye habituated to such ob- 

 iectS; must decide as to the best stations for throwing the 

 line. The season of the year must not be forgotten ; and 

 even the state of the weather, and the hour, must not 

 pass unnoticed, 



It is, in truth, beyond the power of any person to lay 

 down even general rules for this branch of the diversion, 

 that are not subject to refutation from the anomalies which 

 experience will daily present. I shall therefore content 

 myself with observing, that where there are many weeds, 

 especially the Iroad dock, the water-laurel, die flag* 

 and the long, floating, fibrous conferva, or bottom-weed, 

 there will usually be a good stock of fishes -, unless the 

 proprietor thins them by the net. 



For, as all ponds are subject to be frozen during the 

 winter, it is not very easy to poach them at that season > 



especially 



