290 



THE COMPLETE ANGLEK. 



[PART i. 



of ruin, both a prey and baits for other fish. And first I shall, 

 tell you of the MINNOW, or PENS.* 



The Minnow hath, when he is in perfect season and not 

 sick, which is only presently after spawning, a kind of 

 dappled or waved colour, like to a panther, on his sides, in- 

 clining to a greenish and sky-colour, his belly being milk- 

 white, and his back almost black or blackish. He is a sharp 

 biter at a small worm, and, in hot weather makes excellent 

 sport for young Anglers, or boys, or women that love that 



1 A writer in the fifth volume of Mr. London's " Magazine of Natural 

 History," relates that, crossing a brook, he "saw from the foot-bridge 

 something at the bottom of the water which had the appearance of a 

 flower. Observing it attentively," he proceeds, "I found that it consisted 

 of a circular assemblage of minnows : their heads all met in a centre, and 

 their tails diverging at equal distances, and being elevated above their 

 heads, gave them the appearance of a flower half-blown. One was longer 

 than the rest ; and as often as a straggler came in sight, he quitted his 

 place to pursu6 him ; and having driven him away, he returns to it again, 

 no other minnow offering to take it in his absence. This I saw him do 

 several times. The object that had attracted them all was a dead minnow, 

 which they seemed to be devouring." 



