This Michael Drayton tells you, of this leap or summersault of the Salmon.

And next I shall tell you, that it is observed by Gesner and others, that there is no better Salmon than in England. and that though some of our northern countries have as fat and as large as the river Thames, yet none are of so excellent a taste.

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And as I have told you that Sir Francis Bacon observes, the age of a Salmon exceeds not ten years, so let me next tell you, that his growth is very sudden it is said, that after he is got into the sea, he becomes from a Samlet, not so big as a Gudgeon, to be a Salmon, in as short a time as a gosling becomes to be a goose. Much of this has been observed by tying a ribbon or some known tape or thread, in the tail of some young Salmons, which have been taken in wears as they have swimmed towards the salt-water, and then by taking a part of them again with the known mark at the same place at their return from the sea, which is usually about six months after; and the like experiment hath been tried upon young Swallows, who have, after six months absence, been observed to return to the same chimney, there to make their nests and habitations for the Summer following: which has inclined many to think, that every Salmon usually returns to the same river in which it was bred, as young Pigeons taken out of the same dove-cote, have also been observed to do.

And you are yet to observe further, that the heSalmon is usually bigger than the Spawner, and

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that he is more kipper, and less able to endure a Winter in the fresh-water, than she is, yet she is at that time of looking less kipper and better, as watery, and as bad meat.

And yet you are to observe, that as there is no general rule without an exception, so there are some few rivers in this nation, that have Trouts and Salmons in season in Winter, as 'tis certain there be in the river Wye in Monmouthshire, where they be in season, as Camden observes, from September. till April. But, my Scholar, the observation of this and many other things, I must in manners omit, because they will prove too large for our narrow compass of time, and therefore I shall next fall upon my direction, how to fish for this SALMON.

And for that, first you shall observe, that usually he stays not long in a place as Trouts will, but, as I said, covets still to go nearer the spring-head; and that he does not as the Trout, and many other

fish, lie near the water-side or bank or roots of trees, but swims in the deep and broad parts of the water, and usually in the middle, and near the ground, and that there you are to fish for him, and that it is to be caught as the Trout is, with a Worm, a Minnow, which some call a Penk, or with a Fly.

And you are to observe, that he is very seldom observed to bite at a Minnow, yet sometimes he will, and not usually at a fly, but more usually at a worm, and then most usually at a Lob or Garden-worm, which should be well scoured, that is to say, kept seven or eight days in moss before you fish with them: and if you double your time of eight into sixteen, twenty, or more days, it is still the better, for the worms will still be clearer, tougher, and more lively, and continue so longer upon your hook; and they may be kept longer by keeping them cool and in fresh moss, and some advise to put camphor into it.

Note also, that many use to fish for a Salmon with a ring of wire on the top of their rod, through which the line may run to as great a length as is needful when he is hooked. And to that end, some use a wheel about the middle of their rod, or near their hand, which is to be observed better by seeing one of them, than by a large demonstration of words.

And now I shall tell you, that which may be called a secret: I have been a-fishing with old Oliver Henley, now with God, a noted Fisher both for Trout and Salmon, and have observed, that he would usually take three or four worms out of his

bag, and put them into a little box in his pocket, where he would usually let them continue half an hour or more, before he would bait his hook with them; I have asked him his reason, and he has replied, "He did but pick the best out to be in "readiness against he baited his hook the next "time." But he has been observed both by others and myself, to catch more fish than I or any other body that has ever gone a-fishing with him could do, and especially Salmons; and I have been told lately, by one of his most intimate and secret friends, that the box in which he put those worms, was anointed with a drop, or two or three, of the Oil of Ivy-berries, made by expression or infusion; and told, that by the worms remaining in that box an hour, or a like time, they had incorporated a kind of smell that was irresistibly attractive, enough to force any fish within the smell of them, to bite. This I heard not long since from a friend, but have not tried it; yet I grant it probable, and refer my reader to Sir Francis Bacon's Natural History, where he proves fishes may hear, and doubtless can more probably smell: and I am certain Gesner says, the Otter can smell in the water, and I know not but that fish may do so too: 'tis left for a lover of Angling, or any that desires to improve that art, to try this conclusion.

I shall also impart two other experiments, but not tried by myself, which I will deliver in the same words that they were given me by an excellent Angler and a very friend, in writing; he told

me the latter was too good to be told, but in a learned language, lest it should be made common.

“Take the stinking oil, drawn out of Polypody "of the oak by a retort, mixed with turpentine, " and hive-honey, and anoint your bait therewith, " and it will doubtless draw the fish to it."

The other is this: Vulnera hederæ grandissimæ inflicta sudant Balsamum oleo gelato, albicantique persimile, odoris vero longe suavissimi.

'Tis supremely sweet to any fish, and yet Assafætida may do the like.

But in these things I have no great faith, yet grant it probable, and have had from some chemical men, namely, from Sir George Hastings and others, an affirmation of them to be very advantageous : but no more of these, especially not in this place.

I might here, before I take my leave of the Salmon, tell you, that there is more than one sort of them, as namely, a Tecon, and another called in some places a Samlet, or by some, a Skegger: but these and others, which I forbear to name, may be fish of another kind, and differ, as we know a Herring and a Pilcher do, which I think are as different, as the rivers in which they breed, and must by me be left to the disquisitions of men of more leisure, and of greater abilities, than I profess myself to have.

And lastly, I am to borrow so much of your promised patience, as to tell you that the Trout or Salmon being in season, have at their first taking out of the water, which continues during life, their