CHAP. xiv. THE FOURTH DAY. 139 



affords much sport to the angler, with any small worm, but 

 especially a little bluish worm gotten out of marsh-ground or 

 meadows, which should be well scoured. But this, though it be 

 most excellent meat, yet it wants scales, and is, as I told you, 

 therefore an abomination to the Jews. 



But, scholar, there is a fish that they in Lancashire boast very 

 much of, called a CHAR ; taken there (and I think there only), 

 in a mere called Winander Mere : a mere, says Camden, that is 

 the largest in this nation, being ten miles in length, and (some 

 say) as smooth in the bottom as if it were paved with polished 

 marble. This fish never exceeds fifteen or sixteen inches in 

 length ; and is spotted like a trout : and has scarce a bone but 

 on the back. But this, though I do not know whether it make 

 the angler sport, yet I would have you take notice of it, because 

 it is a rarity, and of so high esteem with persons of great note. 



Nor would I have you ignorant of a rare fish called a 

 GUINIAD ; of which I shall tell you what Camden and others 

 speak. The river Dee (which runs by Chester) springs in 

 Merionethshire ; and, as it runs toward Chester, it runs through 

 Pemble-Mere, which is a large water: and it is observed, that 

 though the river Dee abounds with salmon, and Pemble-Mere 

 with the guiniad, yet there is never any salmon caught in the 

 mere, nor a guiniad in the river. And now my next observation 

 shall be of the Barbel. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



OBSERVATIONS OF THE BARBEL ; AND DIRECTIONS HOW TO 

 FISH FOR HIM. 



PiSC. The Barbel is so called, says Gesner, by reason of his 

 barb or wattles at his mouth, which are under his nose or chaps. 

 He is one of those leather-mouthed fishes, that I told you of, 

 that does very seldom break his hold if he be once hooked : but 

 he is so strong that he will often break both rod and line, if he 

 proves to be a big one. 



