106 



CHAPTER VI. 



OBSERVATIONS ON THE UMBER OR GRAYLING, AND DIRECTIONS HOW 

 TO FISH FOR HIM. 



LfFouvt!) Ban.] 



Pise. The umber and gray ling are thought by some to differ, 

 as the herring and pilchard do. But though they may do so 

 in other nations, I think those in England differ in nothing but 

 their names. Aldrovandus says they be of a trout kind ; and 

 Gesner says, that in his country, which is in Switzerland, he is 

 accounted the choicest of all fish. And in Italy, he is in the 

 month of May so highly valued, that he is sold at a much 

 higher rate than any other fish. The French, which call the 

 chub un vilain, call the umber of the lake Leman un uinble clie- 

 valier : and they value the umber or grayling so highly, that 

 they say he feeds on gold, and say that many have been 

 caught out of their famous river Loire, out of whose bellies 

 grains of gold have been often taken. And some think that 

 he feeds on water-thyme, and smells of it at his first taking 

 out of the water ; and they may think so with as good reason. 

 as we do that our smelts smell like violets at their first being 

 caught, which I think is a truth. Aldrovandus says, the 

 salmon, the grayling, and trout, and all fish that live in clear 

 and sharp streams, are made by their mother nature of such 

 exact shape and pleasant colours purposely to invite us to a 

 joy and contentedness in feasting with her. Whether this is a 

 truth or not it is not my purpose to dispute : but 't is certain, 

 all that write of the umber declare him to be very medicin- 

 able. And Gesner says, that the fat of an umber or GRAY- 

 LING, being set, with a little honey, a day or two in the sun, 



