ON ANGLING. 7 



the bait to pieces 4 and deserted it (occasioned 

 very probably by the lead on the shank of 

 the hook*). This method remedies the dis- 

 appointment, and a pike has but to seize it 

 to be taken. The motion of the bait (if 

 judiciously managed) resembles a fish dis- 

 abled, and unable to escape. If the Con- 

 stitution can bear it, great diversion may be 

 had by going into the water and fishing the 

 weeds in the streams, in the hot months ; but 

 the practice is dangerous, not only on ac- 

 count of the partial immersion of the body 

 for any length of time, but to the sudden 

 vicifsitudes of heat and cold which prevail: 

 in this climate. 



* The wisdom and goodnefs of the Creator are 

 conspicuous in the minutest part of his works, and 

 from a principle of humanity, it is reasonable to con- 

 clude, that the teeth of pike are so formed as not only 

 to secure their prey, but from their length to deprive 

 the small fish of all sensation the moment they are 

 seized; the lead on the shank of the trolling hook, 

 presents a great obstacle to this natural conclusion,, 

 and is doubtlefs the reason why the bait in trolling 

 is so often deserted. 



