200 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



box an hour, or a like time, they had incorporated a kind of 

 smell that was irresistibly attractive, enough to force any 

 fish within the smell of them, to bite. This I heard not 

 long since from a friend, but have not tried it ; yet I grant 

 it probable, and refer my reader to Sir Francis Bacon's 

 " Natural History," where he proves fishes may hear, and 

 doubtless can more probably smell : and I am certain 

 Gesner says the otter can smell in the water, and I know 

 not but that fish may do so too : it is left for a lover of 

 angling, or any that desires to improve that art, to try this 

 conclusion. 4 



I shall also impart two other experiments (but not tried 

 by myself), which I will deliver in the same words that they 

 were given me, by an excellent angler, and a very friend, 

 in writing : he told me the latter was too good to be told, 

 but in a learned language, lest it should be made common. 



" Take the stinking oil drawn out of the polypody of the 

 oak by a retort, mixed with turpentine and hive-honey, 

 and anoint your bait therewith, and it will doubtless draw 

 the fish to it." 



The other is this : " Vulnera hederce grandissimce inflicta 

 sudant balsamum oleo gelato, albicantique persimile, odoris 

 vero long suavissimi" 



It is supremely sweet to any fish, and yet assafcetida may 

 do the like. 



But in these things I have no great faith, yet grant it pro- 

 bable, and have had from some chymical men, namely, from 

 Sir George Hastings and others, an affirmation of them to 

 be very advantageous. But no more of these, especially 

 not in this place. 



I might here, before I take my leave of the salmon, tell 



