112 THE COMPLETE ANGLEE. [PART I. 



loves the May-fly, which is bred of the cod- worm, or cadis ; 

 and these make the trout bold and lusty. And he is usually 

 fatter and better meat at the end of that month (May) than 

 at any time of the year. 



Now you are to know, that it is observed, that usually 

 the best trouts are either red or yellow; though some, 

 as the Fordidge trout, be white, and yet good; but 

 that is not usual. And it is a note observable, that the 

 female trout hath usually a less head, and a deeper 

 body than the male trout, * and is usually the better meat. 

 And note, that a hogback and a little head to either 

 trout, salmon, or any other fish is a sign that that fish is 

 in season. 



But yet you are to note, that as you see some willows, 

 or palm-trees, bud and blossom sooner than others do ; 

 so some trouts be, in rivers, sooner in season : and as 

 some hollies, or oaks, are longer before they cast their 

 leaves ; so are some trouts, in rivers, longer before they go 

 out of season. 



And you are to note, that there are several kinds of 

 trouts : But these several kinds are not considered but by 

 very few men ^ for they go under the general name of 

 trouts, just as pigeons do, in most places ; though it is 

 certain, there are tame and wild pigeons ; and of the tame, 

 there be helmits and runts, and carriers 'and croppers, and 

 indeed too many to name. Nay, the Royal Society have 

 found and published lately, that there be thirty and three 

 kinds of spiders ; and yet all, for aught I know, go under 

 that one general name of spider. And it is so with many 

 kinds of fish, and of trouts especially ; which differ in their 

 bigness and shape, and spots and colour. The great Kentish 

 hens may be an instance, compared to other hens. And, 

 doubtless, there is a kind of small trout, which will never 

 thrive to be big ; that breeds very many more than others 

 do, that be of a larger size: which you may rather be- 

 lieve, if you consider that the little wren and titmouse 

 will have twenty young ones at a time, when usually, the 

 noble hawk, or the musical thrassel or blackbird, exceed not 

 four or five. 



And now you shall see me try my skill to catch a trout. 

 And at my next walking, either this evening or to-morrow 



