TKE PIK2« 46j 



thoufand ova being taken from a lingle fifli caught In the 

 'BJjine^ which did not weigh above nine pounds *, 



This fpecies of fifb is common in tlie lakes, rivers, and 

 ponds, over the whole of the north of Kurope : It is, 

 however, mod numerous in Lapland^ where pikes are 

 faid to be taken fometimes eight feet in length ; and their 

 exportation for fale forms a confiderable article of com- 

 merce. The pike abounds in moft of the lakes and rivers 

 of Britain^ and in fuch numbers as renders the common 

 account of this fifh being introduced into England in the 

 reign ol Henry VIII. extremely improbable f. 



The American pike, or Ejox ojfais of Linnaus^ feems 

 far more abundant in the lakes of Canada than ours, and 

 forms there a moft valuable article of food. It grows 

 commonly to the fize of four or five feet ; it is covered 

 all 6ver with bony rhomboidal fcales, which render it 

 almoft invulnerable; but is, notwithftanding, taken by 

 the Indians in fuch quantities, that it forms no inconfi* 

 derable portion^ of their fuftenance. 



• Leonard. Baltnerus apud Will. 



f In the Lincolnfliire fens, numbers are talcen in femiclrcular 

 balkets, open above and below. The manner is, by letting down the 

 baflcet from the end of a fen-boat, and as foon as the fifli is found to have 

 catered, it is immediately taken up into the boat. 



