THE PIKE. 21$ 



had happened ; and the pike was drawn forth, and both 

 his eyes eaten out ; at which, when they began to wonder, 

 the fisherman wished them to forbear, and assured them he 

 was certain that pikes were often so served." 



I told this, which is to be read in the sixth chapter of the 

 first book of Dubravius, unto a friend, who replied, " It was 

 as improbable as to have the mouse scratch out the cat's 

 eyes." But he did not consider that there be fishing-frogs, 

 which the Dalmatians call the water-devil, of which I might 

 tell you as wonderful a story ; but I shall tell you, that 't is 

 not to be doubted but that there be some frogs so fearful 

 of the water-snake, that, wlien they swim in a place in 

 which they fear to meet with him, they then get a reed 

 across into their mouths, which, if they two meet by 

 accident, secures the frog from the strength and malice of 

 the snake ; and note, that the frog usually swims the fastest 

 of the two. 



And let me tell you, that as there be water and land- 

 frogs, so there be land and water- snakes. Concerning 

 which, take this observation : that the land-snake breeds 

 and hatches her eggs, which become young snakes, in some 

 old dunghill, or a like hot place ; but the water-snake, 

 which is not venomous, and, as I have been assured by a 

 great observer of such secrets, does not hatch, but breed 

 her young alive, which she does not then forsake, but bides 

 with them, and in case of danger will take them all into her 

 mouth and swim away from any apprehended danger, and 

 then let them out again when she thinks all danger to be 

 past; these be accidents that we anglers sometimes see, 

 and often talk of. 6 



But whither am I going ? I had almost lost myself, by 



