CHAP. V.] THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 129 



VEN. But, Master, I have heard that the great Trout you 

 speak of is a Salmon. 



Pise. Trust me, Scholar, I know not what to say to it. 

 There are many country people that believe Hares change sexes 

 every year ; and there be very many learned men think so too, 

 for in their dissecting them they find many reasons to incline 

 them to that belief. And to make the wonder seem yet less, 

 that Hares change sexes, note that Doctor Mer. Casaubon af- 

 firms, in his book " Of Credible and Incredible Things," that 

 Caspar Peucerus, a learned physician, tells us of a people that 

 once a year turn wolves, partly in shape, and partly in con- 

 ditions. And so, whether this were a Salmon when he came 

 into the fresh water, and his not returning into the sea hath 

 altered him to another color or kind, I am not able to say ; 

 but I am certain he hath all the signs of being a Trout, both 

 for his shape, color, and spots; and yet many think he is 

 not. 



VEN. But, Master, will this Trout which I had hold of die ? 

 for it is like he hath the hook in his belly. 



Pise. I will tell you, Scholar, that unless the hook be fast 

 in his very gorge, 't is more than probable he will live ; and a 

 little time, with the help of the water, will rust the hook, and 

 it will in time wear away, as the gravel doth in the horse-hoof, 

 which only leaves a false quarter. 



And now, Scholar, let's go to my rod. Look you, Scholar, 

 I have a fish too, but it proves a loggerheaded Chub ; and this 

 is not much amiss, for this will pleasure some poor body, as 

 we go to our lodgings to meet our brother Peter and honest 

 Coridon. Come, now bait your hook again, and lay it into 

 the water, for it rains again ; and we will even retire to the 

 sycamore-tree, and there I will give you more directions con- 

 cerning fishing, for I would fain make you an artist. 



VEN. Yes, good Master, I pray let it be so. 



Pise. Well, Scholar, now we are sat down and are at ease, I 

 shall tell you a little more of Trout-fishing, before I speak of 



