QUALITIES AND VIRTUES OF FISH. 85 



prescribed, when dried, as a draught for persons in con- 

 sumptions. 



The roe of different kinds of fish has been a fruitful 

 topic of conjecture. The eggs of the barbel were long 

 considered in the north of Europe as noxious, and those 

 who partook of them copiously would " shrink up in great 

 danger of life." In some parts of Saxony and Dalmatia, 

 the roe of the trout, when beaten up with olive oil, and 

 rubbed on the eyes, was said to bo a certain method of 

 seeing the departed spirits of our friends after death. In 

 those localities in France where there are extensive marais 

 or tanks of water, superstitious opinions on the medicinal 

 properties of fish extensively prevail among the country 

 people. Many of the intestinal portions of the large eels, 

 found in the waters near Arras, in the Pas-de-Calais, are 

 used both for charms to heighten the complexion of young 

 women, and to cure various cutaneous disorders. 8 



In Great Britain, during the last century, we find many 

 prescriptions in verse, on the medical properties of fish. 

 Take the following as samples : 



"A RECIPE FOR WEAK NERVES. 

 " Take wormwood root, 



And gall of trout, 

 And place them on the fire ; 

 With brain of pike, 

 Or, if you like, 

 Take dung out of the hire. 

 " Then simmer weel, 

 With oil of eel, 



8 Hietoire des Poissons, p. 64. 



