520 NOBBS'-S AIIT OF TROLLING. 



ance: yet one professed enemy he hath, and that more 

 powerful than himself, which is a creature of an amphi- 

 bious nature, and can live by land as well as by water 

 this is a cunning and a choice fisher ; he seldom takes 

 any but the best and biggest fish : he is much esteemed 

 in some countries, especially in Sweden, where he rs 

 kept tame for the purpose, and taught so much craft 

 and dexterity, that the cook will send him out of thtt 

 kitchen when he wants a dish of fish, and he will go 

 straight to the pond and fetch them. It is a strange 

 tale if true, and we had better believe it, than go so 

 far to disprove it: I never looked upon an Otter to be 

 such a docile and serviceable creature; though perhaps 

 those of another country may difter much in their na- 

 ture frona ours. 



CHAP. ir. 



Of the Parts and Lineaments of a Pike. 



As to the shape and proportion of this great devourer, 

 the figure of his body is very long, his back broad, and 

 almost square, equal to the lowest .fins ; his head is 

 lean and very bony, which bones in his head, some 

 have resembled to things of mysterious consequence ; 

 one of which they commonly compare to the cros s , 

 another to the spear, three others to those bloody nails 

 which were instruments of our Saviour's passion. Jf 

 those comparisons smell, any thing of superstition, as to 

 physical use, those bones may be profitable ; for the 

 jawbone beaten to powder may be helpful for pleurisies 

 and the sharpness of urine ; some approve of it as a 

 remedy for the pain in the heart and stomach ; others 

 affirm that the small bones pulverized may be fitly used 

 to dry up sores, and many the like medicinal qualities 

 are attributed to the Pike's head. 



An ancient Author, wrkiiijjjhe nature of things, doe* 



