THE THIRD DAY. 



(Continued.) 



CHAPTER IV. 



OBSERVATIONS OF THE NATURE AND BREEDING OF THE TROUT, AND HOW 

 TO FISH FOR HIM. AND THE MILKMAID'S SONG. 



Piscator. The trout is a fish highly valued, both in this 

 and foreign nations. He may be justly said, as the old poet 

 said of wine, and we English say of venison, to be a generous 

 fish : a fish that is so like the buck, that he also has his 

 seasons ; for it is observed, that he comes in and goes out of 

 season with the stag and buck. GESNEK says, his name is 

 of German offspring ; 

 and he says he is a fish 

 that feeds clean and 

 purely, in the swiftest 

 streams, and on the hard- 

 est gravel ; and that he 

 may justly contend with 

 all fresh-water fish; as 

 the mullet may with all 

 sea-fish, for precedency 

 and daintiness of t^ste ; 

 and that being in right 

 season, the most dainty 

 palates have allowed pre- 

 cedency to him. 



And before I go further 

 into my discourse, let me tell you, that you are to observe, 

 that as there be some barren does that are good in summer, 

 so there be some barren trouts l that are good in winter ; 



1 Probably male trout, which have shed their milt, and have not 



recover ed. ED. 



Gesuer. 



