QUALITIES AND VIRTUES OF FISH. 79 



store their ponds with no other fish. But this controversy 

 is easily decided, in my judgment, by Bruerinus. 1. 22, 

 c. 13. The difference riseth from the site and nature of 

 pools, sometimes muddy, sometimes sweet ; they are in 

 taste as the place is from whence they be taken. In like 

 manner almost we may conclude of other fresh fish. But 

 see more in llondoletius, Bellonius, Oribasius, lib. 7, cap. 

 22, Isaac, 1. 1, especially Hippolitus Salvianus, who is 

 instar omnium solus, &c. Howsoever they may be whole- 

 some and approved, much use of them is not good ; 

 P. Forestus, in his medicinal observations, relates, that 

 Carthusian friars, whose living is most part fish, are more 

 subject to melancholy than any other order, and that he 

 found by experience, being sometimes their physician 

 ordinary at Delft, in Holland. He exemplifies it with an 

 instance of one Buscodnese, a Carthusian of a ruddy 

 colour, and well liking, that by solitary living, and fish- 

 eating, became so misaffected." 4 



The Romans had a great fondness for the art of angling, 

 both with the net and line ; but fishes were not anciently 

 eaten, says Plutarch, from superstitious motives, and from 

 reverence for springs, &c. The Meatse, or Northern 

 Britons, according to Xiphiline, abstained from fish. It 

 would be idle therefore to look for fishing among the 

 Celtic Britons, and eels excepted, the art was introduced 

 by Wilfrid. The Anglo-Saxons eat various fish ; chiefly 



4 Burton, p. 344. 



