26 ANGLING LITERATURE OP 



slender, lest they should shade the water too much ; the 

 line was made of the fewest possible knots, and the hair 

 of horses, more especially of stallions. The whitest hair 

 was recommended, to render the line less perceptible, and 

 to be placed next the hook ; and above that was a small 

 hollow piece of horn, which the fish was obliged to swal- 

 low before it could touch the bait, and which prevented 

 it from closing its mouth so as to bite the line asunder ; 

 and there were likewise round and straight hooks, ac- 

 cording to the different kinds of fish. 18 



In the reign of Domitian, there was a prodigious large 

 turbot caught, such as had never before been seen. It was 

 ordered to the imperial kitchen. The emperor convoked 

 the senate to consider in what dish it should be cooked, 

 and served up entire. The deliberation was long and 

 stormy ; all Borne was in a state of excitement by the 

 debate ; and the august body of senators endeavoured to 

 prove itself worthy of the confidence reposed in them by 

 Caesar. They were unanimous in their resolutions that a 

 dish should be made expressly for this enormous fish, 

 since there were none large enough ready made ; and also 

 that a stove should be constructed sufficiently capacious 

 to allow the dish to be conveniently placed upon it. The 

 emperor, the city and the whole court applauded the 

 singular sagacity of the senate ; and " le turbot fut mis 

 a la sauce piquante" 



18 Pollux, 7, 10, 31. 



