143 



Of Night-Fishing. 



Fishes in general do not seek food during the night, 

 though in the very hot season of the year, when the sky 

 happens to have been remarkably clear during the whole 

 day, and especially towards sun-set, they will come on 

 the feed at very late hours. Such must be considered as 

 adventitious $ for we may set it down as a rule, from 

 which few exceptions will be found, that animals of every 

 kind retire to rest as the day closes in 5 becoming more 

 disposed to sleep than to eat. 



From this, however, we are to exempt such as are of a 

 predatory nature; as the wolf, fox, c. among qua- 

 drupeds, the bat and owl, in the winged tribe, and the eel 

 among the inhabitants of fresh waters. These all prey 

 by night, and are by no means to be classed with the 

 many other fishes, birds, and beasts, which, though they 

 will occasionally feed at night, are generally impelled 

 thereto by certain circumstances, abstracted from their 

 ordinary habits. 



We find, that where the tide flows, especially where 

 it is brisk, the larger portions of fishes will come out to 

 feed, so soon as they feel its influence : but we are to 

 consider this as depending entirely on the regular supply 

 of food brought by the influx of the waters 5 which 

 causes all fishes contained within the reach thereof, to 

 acquire a habit of awaiting the tidt's arrival. 



Ihis will be admitted by every practical angler, though 

 the theorist may think otherwise : the former well knows, 

 that the same sorts of fishes, which, a few miles higher 

 up the stream, will only bite during the day, will, when 

 the tide is strongly felt, bite freely, without regard to 

 the hour, either of the day or of the night. 



1 have had some sport by hanging a lantern over the 



side 



