THE TROUT. 125 



then, as he grows stronger, he gets from the dead, still 

 water, into the sharp streams, and the gravel, and there 

 rubs off these worms or lice ; and then as he grows stronger, 

 so he gets him into swifter and swifter streams, and there 

 lies at the watch for any fly or minnow that comes near to 

 him ; and he especially loves the May-fly, 3 which is bred of 

 the cod-worm or caddis ; and these make the trout bold and 

 lusty, and he is usually fatter and better meat at that end 

 of that month [May] than at any time of the year. 



Now, you arc to know that it is observed, that usually 

 the best trouts are either red or yellow ; though some (as 

 the Fordidge trout) be white and yet good ; but that is not 

 usual : and it is a note observable, that the female trout 

 hath usually a less head and a deeper body than the male 

 trout, and is usually the better meat. And note, that a hog- 

 back and a little head to either trout, salmon, or any other 

 fish, is a sign that that fish is in season. 



But yet you are to note, that as you see some willows or 

 palm-trees bud and blossom sooner than others do, so some 

 trouts be, in rivers, sooner in season ; and as some hollies 

 or oaks are longer before they cast their leaves, so are some 

 trouts in rivers longer before they go out of season. 



And you are to note, that there are several kinds of 

 trouts ; but these several kinds are not considered but by 

 very few men ; for they go under the general name of 

 trouts : just as pigeons do, in most places ; though, it is 

 certain, there are tame and wild pigeons ; and of the tame, 

 there be helmets and runts, and carriers and cropers, and 

 indeed too many to name. Nay, the Royal Society have 

 found and published lately, that there be thirty and three 

 kinds of spiders ; and yet all, for aught I know, go under 



