60 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. PART i. 



trout) be white and yet good; but that is not usual: and it is a 

 note observable, that the female trout hath usually a less head, 

 and a deeper body than the male trout, and is usually the better 

 meat. And note, that a hog-back and a little head to either 

 trout, salmon, or any other fish, is a sign that that fish is in 

 season. 



But yet you are to note, that as you see some willows or palm- 

 trees bud and blossom sooner than others do, so some trouts be, 

 in rivers, sooner in season : and as some hollies or oaks are 

 longer before they cast their leaves, so are some trouts in rivers 

 longer before they go out of season. 



And you are to note, that there are several kinds of trouts : 

 but these several kinds are not considered but by very few men ; 

 for they go under the general name of trouts : just as pigeons 

 do, in most places; though, it is certain, there are tame and 

 wild pigeons ; and of the tame, there be helmets and runts, and 

 carriers and cropers, and indeed too many to name. Nay, the 

 Royal Society have found and published lately, that there be 

 thirty and three kinds of spiders ; and yet all, for aught I know, 

 go under that one general name of spider. And it is so with 

 many kinds of fish, and of trouts especially ; which differ in their 

 bigness and shape and spots and colour. The great Kentish 

 hens may be an instance, compared to other hens. And, doubt- 

 less, there is a kind of small trout, which will never thrive to be 

 big ; that breeds very many more than others do, that be of a 

 larger size : which you may rather believe, if you consider that 

 the little wren and titmouse will have twenty young ones at a 

 time, when usually the noble hawk, or the musical thrassel or 

 blackbird, exceed not four or five. 



And now you shall see me try my skill to catch a trout ; and 

 at my next walking, either this evening or to-morrow morning, 

 I will give you direction how you yourself shall fish for him. 



VEN. Trust me, master, I see now it is a harder matter to 

 catch a trout than a chub: for I have put on patience, and 

 followed you these two hours, and not seen a fish stir, neither 

 at your minnow nor your worm. 



Pise. Well, scholar, you must endure worse luck some time, 



