THE PIKE, & C , 



121 



the summer they are listless, and affect the surface of the 

 water, where in warm sunny weather they seem to bask in a 

 sleepy state for hours together, and at these times frequently 

 get ensnared by the wire halter of the poacher. It is not a 

 little remarkable, also, that smaller fish appear to be aware 

 when this abstinent state of their foe is on him ; for they who 

 at other times are evidently impressed with an instinctive 

 dread at his presence, are now seen swimming around him 

 with total unconcern. At these periods, no baits, however 

 tempting, can allure him; but on the contrary, he retreats 

 from every thing of the kind. Windy weather is alone capa- 

 ble of exciting the dormant powers ; and then, if a cool sharp 

 breeze spring up, he may sometimes be tempted to run ; 

 but even then he will rather play with the bait, and may be 

 seen even sailing about with it across his mouth ; after doing 

 which he commonly ejects it. This inaptitude to receive 

 food with the usual keenness, continues from the time they 

 spawn, until the time of their recovery from the effects of it ; 

 and thus pike and jack fishing are not productive of much 

 sport between March and October, unless an occasional 

 breeze should blow a hungry fit on them ; and it is thus also 

 that when they are attempted between these periods, the 

 experienced fisher often at once commences his practice by 

 snap-tackle. 



" We are disposed to think that the deci'eased voracity of 

 these fish during the heats of summer, is in some measure 

 likewise influenced by the increase of temperature. This 

 animal thrives best in frigid climes, and the further we pro- 

 ceed within certain limits, the larger is his growth ; thus, in 

 the Canadian lakes he exists in vast numbers, and grows to 

 the length of four or five feet ; and he does the same in the 

 cold waters of Lapland, also disappearing, according to Wal- 

 henburg. in geographical distribution with the spruce fir. 

 It is no wonder, therefore, that only a slight approximation 



