CHAP. IV. THE COMPLETE ANGLES,. 61 



as we see sheep in some countries differ one from another 

 in their shape and bigness, and in the fineness of their 

 wool. And, certainly, as some pastures breed larger 

 sheep; so do some rivers, by reason of the ground over 

 which they run, breed larger Trouts. 



Now the next thing that I will commend to your 

 consideration, is that the Trout is of a more sudden 

 growth than other fish. Concerning which, you are 

 also to take notice, that he lives not so long as the 

 Pearch, and divers other fishes do, as Sir Francis Bacon 

 hath observed in his History of Life and Death. 



And next you are to take notice, that he is not like 

 the Crocodile, which if he lives never so long, yet always 

 thrives till his death: but 'tis not so with the Trout; for 

 after he is come to his full growth, he declines in his 

 body, and keeps his bigness, or thrives only in his head 

 till his death. And you are to know, that he will, about 

 (especially before) the time of bis spawning, get, almost 

 miraculously, through weirs and flood-gates, against 

 the stream; even through such high and swift places 

 as is almost incredible. Next, that the Trout usually 

 spawns about October or November, but in some rivers 

 a little sooner or later; which is the more observable, 

 because most other fish spawn in the spring or summer, 

 when the sun hath warmed both the earth and water, 

 and made it fit for generation. And you are to note, 

 that he continues many months out of season; for it 

 may be observed of the Trout, that he is like the Buck or 

 the Ox, that will not be fat in many months, though he 

 go in the very same pastures that horses do, which will 

 be fat in one month. And so you may observe, that 

 most other fishes recover strength, and grow sooner fat 

 and in season than the Trout doth. 



And next yon are to note, that till the sun gets to 

 such a height as to warm the earth and the water, the 



