CHAPTER XIV. 



OBSERVATIONS OF THE BARBEL, AND DIRECTIONS 

 HOW TO FISH FOR HIM. 



Pise. The Barbel is so called, says Gesner, by reason of 

 his barb or wattles at his mouth, which are under his nose 

 or chaps. He is one of those leather-mouthed fishes that 

 I told you of, that does very seldom break his hold if he 

 be once hooked; but he is so strong that he will often 

 break both rod and line, if he proves to be a big one. 



But the barbel, though he be of a fine shape, and looks 

 big, yet he is not accounted the best fish to eat, neither for 

 his wholesomeness nor his taste ; but the male is reputed 

 much better than the female, whose spawn is very hurtful, 

 as I will presently declare to you. 



They flock together, like sheep, and are at the worst in 

 April, about which time they spawn, but quickly grow to 

 be in season. He is able to live in the strongest swifts of 



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