42 THE AXGLER-NATUKALIST. 



PART II. 



CHAPTER IV. 



BRITISH FRESH- WATER FISH. 



IT was my original intention to confine this portion of the 

 subject to the history of game, or sporting, fish, properly 

 so called ; that is, fish usually regarded as objects of pursuit 

 by the angler, and affording sport with the rod and line. 

 On further reflection, however, it appeared to me that this 

 distinction would render the book less complete as a work 

 of reference to the general reader, whilst amongst anglers 

 themselves not a few might very likely be disposed to take 

 exception to my exceptions. Some, for example, would 

 probably account Bobbing for Eels a " sport :" I don't. 

 Others might be inclined to look with an eye of favour upon 

 the setting of Lampern-pots, or regard the poking under 

 boulders for stranded and stertorous Bullheads as a highly 

 attractive method of sporting : I can only say I don't. 

 Again, it would have been a bad compliment to my fair 

 countrywomen, many of whom display such prowess in the 

 ensnarement of Thames Gudgeon, to deny these the title 

 of ' game fish ' ; nor could I have omitted without a pang 

 the plucky little Sticklebacks, for whose capture the ragged 



