116 



THE PIKE, &C, 



from your hoke, and a flote in mid way betweene ; and cast 

 it in a pytte where the pyke usyth ; and this is the beste and 

 moost surest crafte of takynge the pyke." In all probability 

 they are natives of England as well as other parts of Europe, 



He is certainly one of the oldest inhabitants of our own 

 country, as he was well known to the natives, and in some 

 parts is still called by the Indian name of Muscalinga. At all 

 events, he does not need such restrictions for his preservation 

 as were a short time since proposed in the Legislature of the 

 State of New- York, for the protection of carp in the Hudson 

 river. On a debate for the passage of a law to protect some 

 newly imported fish of the carp species, a Mr. Bloss said : 

 " that he was in favor of a term of naturalization, not over 

 five years, and so he would protect the fishy foreigner, 

 at least for that space of time." This well-timed joke caused 

 so much merriment and good feeling amongst the members 

 of the House, that the law of protection passed with but httle 

 opposition. 



The pike is also called the Tyrant of the Waters, the Wolf- 

 Fish, and the Fresh Water Shark; and certainly, from his 

 ravenous disposition, he well deserves all these names; and 

 although not quite so voracious as that very peculiar bird, 

 that devoured the boards, shavings, and even the jack-planes 

 and hand-saws of the carpenter employed to fit up its cage, 

 still his masticatory apparatus must be very powerful, and 

 his digestive machinery equally strong, if all that is said of 

 him be true. 



" A thousand foes the finny people chase : 



Nor are they safe from their own kindred race : 

 The PIKE, fell tyrant of the liquid plain, 

 With rav'nous waste devours his fellow train." 



It is said that in Germany a mule, while drinking from a 

 pond, was seized at the mouth by a large pike, and nearly 



