98 THE DRIFFJELD ANGLER. 



The Tench is esteemed the fish's physician, 

 on account of a natural balsam which he is 

 said to carry about him, that will cure both 

 himself and others ; so that if any other fish 

 receives a wound, he will seek out the 

 Tench, and rubbing the part affected against 

 him (which the Tench will suffer him to do) 

 receives a certain cure by virtue of this bal- 

 sam, or slime; and it is affirmed that the 

 voracious Pike himself, is so sensible of this 

 virtue, that however greedy of prey, he will 

 never hurt his physician : whether true, or 

 riot, this account passes current with other 

 legendary tales. 



