Class IV. COMMON PIKE. 427 



is frequently the case) the lesser fishes are often 

 observed to swim around it in vast numbers, and 

 in great anxiety. Pike are often haltered in a 

 noose, and taken while they lie thus asleep in 

 the ditches near the Thames in the month of ' 

 May. 



In the shallow water of the Lincolnshire fens 

 they are frequently taken in a manner peculiar, 

 we believe, to that county, and the isle of Cey- 

 lon* The fisherman makes use of what is 

 called a crown-net, which is no more than a 

 hemispherical basket, open at the top and bot- 

 tom. He stands at the end of one of the little 

 fen-boats, and frequently puts his basket down 

 to the bottom of the water, then poking a stick 

 into it, discovers whether he has any booty by 

 the striking of the fish; and vast numbers of 

 pike are taken in this manner. 



The longevity of this fish is very remarkable, Longevity. 

 if we may credit the accounts given of it. 

 Rzaczynski-f tells us of one that was ninety 

 years old ; but Gesner% relates, that in the year 

 14^7, a pike was taken near Hailbrun, in Sica- 

 bia, with a brazen ring affixed to it, on which 

 were these words in Greek characters: 1 am 

 thejish which zvas first of all put into this lake 



* Knox's Hist. Ceylon, 28. f Hist. Nat. Polonice. 15?, 

 J Iconts pitcium , 3l6, where a print of the ring is given. 



