CHAP. XIV.] THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 187 



line, by running his head forcibly towards any covert, or hole, 

 or bank ; and then striking at the line, to break it off with his 

 tail, as is observed by Plutarch, in his book " De Industria 

 Animalium " ; and also so cunning to nibble and suck off your 

 worm close to the hook, and yet avoid the letting the hook 

 come into his mouth. 



The Barbel is also curious for his baits, that is to say, that 

 fhey be clean and sweet ; that is to say, to have your worms 

 well scoured, and not kept in sour and musty moss, for he is a 

 curious feeder : but at a well-scoured Lob-worm he will bite as 

 boldly as at any bait, and specially if, the night or two before 

 you fish for him, you shall bait the places where you intend to 

 fish for him with big worms cut into pieces : and note, that none 

 did ever over-bait the place, nor fish too early or too late for a 

 Barbel. And the Barbel will bite also at gentles, which not 

 being too much scoured, but green, are a choice bait for him ; 

 and so is cheese, which is not to be too hard, but kept a day or 

 two in a wet linen cloth to make it tough : with this you may 

 also bait the water a day or two before you fish for the Barbel, 

 and be much the likelier to catch store : and if the cheese were 

 laid in clarified honey a short time before, as namely, an hour 

 or two, you were still the likelier to catch fish. Some have 

 directed to cut the cheese into thin pieces, and toast it, and 

 then tie it on the hook with fine silk : and some advise to fish 

 for the Barbel with sheep's tallow and soft cheese beaten or 

 worked into a paste, and that it is choicely good in August, and 

 I believe it : but doubtless the Lob-worm well scoured, and the 

 gentle not too much scoured, and cheese ordered as I have 

 directed, are baits enough, and I think will serve in any month ; 

 though I shall commend any Angler that tries conclusions, and 

 is industrious to improve the art. And now, my honest Scholar, 

 the long shower and my tedious discourse are both ended to- 

 gether : and I shall give you but this observation, that when you 

 fish for a Barbel your rod and line be both long, and of good 

 strength ; for, as I told you, you will find him a heavy and a 



