62 ART OF ANGLING. 



is so tenacious of life that it may be carried to the 

 distance of sixty miles, in dry straw, and yet survive 

 the journey. The flesh of it is held in high repute, 

 being considered remarkably firm and delicate. 

 "When cooked it is sometimes boiled in wine or 

 vinegar, which gives solidity and flavour to the fish. 

 The Perch spawns in February and March ; the 

 season for angling is during April, May, and June, 

 from day-light till eleven o'clock in the morning, 

 and from three or four o'clock in the evening till 

 dark; if the sky be clouded, and a brisk wind 

 stirring, it will bite well all day. The best baits 

 are minnows, red worms, maggots, wasp-grubs, cab- 

 bage grubs, and grasshoppers. When angled for 

 with the minnow, it must be done nearly in the 

 same manner as directed for Pike, on pages 58 and 

 59, only with this difference, the bottom of the line 

 may be gut, and a single hook, No. 4 or 5 ; and 

 when with worms, it is necessary to throw into 

 certain places, in the river, or pond, stewed malt or 

 fresh grains, and lob worms cut in pieces, before 

 you begin ; if this plan be adopted, success may be 

 depended upon. When with maggots or wasp- 

 grubs, bait the places as before, only substituting 

 the bait you fish with for lob worms. The line to 

 be used for this purpose should be strong and fine, 

 the hook No. 5 for worms, No. 6 for wasp-grubs, 



