THE PIKE FAMILY. 215 



Bohemia — then nearly dry. The fox was shot in tlie 

 ■water J and as the pike would not loose its hold of his 

 throat J both were pulled out together. The fox had evi- 

 dently come to poach upon the ducks in the tank, and must 

 have been not a little astonished at finding himself the 

 subject of such a singular detainer. 



For another incident of a somewhat similar nature I 

 am also indebted to the researches of the same naturalist, 

 who found the account printed at the foot of an old en- 

 graving by Ridinger, now in a collection at Munich. Of 

 this curious picture Dr. Genzik has kindly procured me a 

 photograph, as well as a copy of the story imderwritten, 

 of which I append a translation : — 



" In the county of Wolifstein, at Pyrbaum, some forty 

 years ago, the following true event occurred : — 



" Whilst fishing ia the great pond, a large pike of about 

 18 or 19 lbs. weight was caught; this was to be brought 

 at night to the Castle at Pyrbaum ; but it escaped (sprung 

 out), as the vessel in which it was placed was not properly 

 watched, and the persons who carried it came home empty ; 

 so they were sent back, with others, provided with torches, 

 to seek for the pike. When they arrived at the place 

 where the pike was lost, they observed a fox in the wheat, 

 who, even on their approaching him, remained standing 

 still; whereupon they hurried nearer, and perceived that 

 the pike had hold of the fox by the snout, and had so 

 bitten into it that they could not release it. So the fox 

 was killed, and the hving pike was brought to the Castle. 



