168 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



back. But this, though I do not know whether it make the 

 angler sport, yet I would have you take notice of it, because ir 

 is a rarity, and of so high esteem with persons of great note. 



Nor would I have you ignorant of a rare fish called a Guiniad, 

 of which I shall tell you what Camden and others speak. The 

 river Dee, which runs by Chester, springs in Merionethshire ; 

 and, as it runs toward Chester, it runs through Pemble-Mere, 

 which is a large water : and it is observed, that though the 

 river Dee abounds with Salmon, and Pemble-Mere with the 

 Guiniad, yet there is never any Salmon caught in the mere, nor 

 a Guiniad in the river.* And now my next observation shall 

 be of the Barbel. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



OBSERVATIONS OF THE BARBEL. AND DIRECTIONS HOW TO 

 FISH FOIl HIM. 



BARBEL Cyprinus Barbus LINNAEUS. 



Piscator. 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 



* This, though generally true, does not hold always. J. R. 



