196 THE ANGLER-NATURALIST. 



increase of weight has only been 1^ Ib. in ten years. This 

 capacity of existing under such opposite extremes of diet 

 throws an additional difficulty in the way of drawing, from 

 the growth-rate in stews (where only it can be conveni- 

 ently tested), a correct deduction as regards that in ordi- 

 nary waters, as we are deprived of the means of gauging 

 the amount of food really required. 



Of one point, however, I have fully convinced myself, viz. 

 that during the first year the maximum growth, in open 

 waters, does not much exceed half a pound. The grounds 

 of this conclusion are briefly as follow : Pike spawn in 

 March or April : in June, when Pike-fishing properly com- 

 mences, I have not unfrequently taken, and seen taken, 

 with the net, small Jack of about an ounce, or a little more, 

 in weight ; in September, again, I have constantly taken 

 them, with a minnow, of three or four ounces ; and in Janu- 

 ary and February specimens of from five to seven ounces ; 

 whilst I have never within my memory caught the smaller- 

 sized fish at the later periods, or vice versa, thus pointing 

 clearly to the inference that at these seasons there were 

 young Jack of those respective sizes, and none others in 

 other words, that the different sizes represented the differ- 

 ent stages of growth. These I believe to be the fish of 

 about J Ib. of the following season. 



A remarkable instance of the Pike's rapidity of digestion 

 was communicated to me by Mr. H. E. Francis* as having 

 occurred some years ago, whilst he was fishing in the 

 * Author of the 'Fly-fisher and his Library,' &c. 



