middle of their rods or near their hand, which is to be observed better by seeing one of them, than by a large demonstration of words.' Mr. Westwood has made a catalogue of books cited by Walton in his _Compleat Angler_. There is AElian (who makes the first known reference to fly-fishing); Aldrovandus, _De Piscibus_ (1638); Dubravius, _De Piscibus_ (1559); and the English translation (1599) Gerard's _Herball_ (1633); Gesner, _De Piscibus_ (_s.a_.) and _Historia Naturalis_ (1558); Phil. Holland's _Pliny_ (1601); Rondelet, _De Piscibus Marines_ (1554); Silvianus _Aquatilium Historiae_ (1554): these nearly exhaust Walton's supply of authorities in natural history. He was devoted, as we saw, to authority, and had a childlike faith in the fantastic theories which date from Pliny. 'Pliny hath an opinion that many flies have their birth, or being, from a dew that in the spring falls upon the leaves of trees.' It is a pious opinion! Izaak is hardly so superstitious as the author of _The Angler's Vade Mecum_. I cannot imagine him taking 'Man's fat and cat's fat, of each half an ounce, mummy finely powdered, three drains,' and a number of other abominations, to 'make an Oyntment according to Art, and when you Angle, anoint 8 inches of the line next the Hook therewith.' Or, 'Take the Bones and Scull of a Dead-man, at the opening of a Grave, and beat the same into Pouder, and put of this Pouder in the Moss wherein you keep your Worms,--_but others like Grave Earth as well_.' No doubt grave earth is quite as efficacious. These remarks show how Izaak was equipped in books and in practical information: it follows that his book is to be read, not for instruction, but for human pleasure.