26o THE FIRE, 



All writers agree ia afcribing uncommon voraci- 

 ty to thefe animals, and mention fads in fupport of 

 it fo extraordinary, as would feem incredible, were 

 they not in a great meafure confirmed by daily ob- 

 fervation. The peculiar ftru£ture of the jaws, which 

 are loofely connected together, and have on each fide 

 an additional bone, like thofe of the viper, while it 

 favours their voracious inftindls, proves- often their ruin, 

 by prompting them to fwallow morlels too large, even 

 lor that uncommon diilennon of which they are ca- 

 pable. 



The digeftive powers of the pike are as remarkabJe 

 as its voracity : After fwallowing a filh of a iize but lit- 

 tle inferior to its own, thofe parts that have entered into 

 the ftomach are diffolved with amazing rapidity; while 

 I thofe in the mouth and throat, which are yet entire, 

 tnake a conftant progrefs downwards, as the procefs of 

 digeftion m'akes way for them. Hence a fifh, which is 

 too large to be fwallowed entire, appears for a while with 

 its tail hanging from the mouth of the pike ; but foon 

 after totally difappears, and is dillblvcd by the Itomach 

 almoft as quickly as it en ers rhe.e *. 



From this extraordinary voracity of the pike, aided 

 hy fuch uncommon powers of digeftion, he is hy far the 

 o-reateft tyrant of the frcfh water. He is faid to contend 

 with the otter for his prey, and fometimes to force it 

 from his mouth. The angler, ia drawing a trout, has 

 been known at once to lofe his line and his prize, by the 

 •unexpefted attack of one of thefe plunderers. When we 

 confider the numbers and vojacity of thefe animals, it 

 may appear flrange that any of the inhabitants of the 



frelii 



* Willough. p. s,yh 



