The Complete Angler 1653 by Izaak Walton
page 62 of 141 (43%)
page 62 of 141 (43%)
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a _Fordig Trout_) a _Trout_ (that bears the name of the Town where 'tis
usually caught) that is accounted rare meat, many of them near the bigness of a _Salmon_, but knowne by their different colour, and in their best season cut very white; and none have been known to be caught with an Angle, unless it were one that was caught by honest Sir _George Hastings_, an excellent Angler (and now with God) and he has told me, he thought that _Trout_ bit not for hunger, but wantonness; and 'tis the rather to be believed, because both he then, and many others before him have been curious to search into their bellies what the food was by which they lived; and have found out nothing by which they might satisfie their curiositie. Concerning which you are to take notice, that it is reported, there is a fish that hath not any mouth, but lives by taking breath by the porinss of her gils, and feeds and is nourish'd by no man knows what; and this may be believed of the _Fordig Trout_, which (as it is said of the _Stork_, that he knowes his season, so he) knows his times (I think almost his day) of coming into that River out of the Sea, where he lives (and it is like feeds) nine months of the year, and about three in the River of _Fordig_. And now for some confirmation of this; you are to know, that this _Trout_ is thought to eat nothing in the fresh water; and it may be the better believed, because it is well known, that _Swallowes_, which are not seen to flye in _England_ for six months in the year, but about _Michaelmas_ leave us for a hotter climate; yet some of them, that have been left behind their fellows, [view Sir Fra. Bacon exper. 899.], have been found (many thousand at a time) in hollow trees, where they have been observed to live and sleep [see Topsel of Frogs] out the whole winter without meat; and so _Albertus_ observes that there is one kind |
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