_Randelitius_ sayes in his discourse of fishes (quoted by _Gesner_) that at his being at _Rome_, he saw certaine Jewes apply _Tenches_ to the feet of a sick man for a cure; and it is observed, that many of those people have many Secrets unknown to Christians, secrets which have never been written, but have been successsively since the dayes of Solomon (who knew the nature of all things from the Shrub to the Cedar) delivered by tradition from the father to the son, and so from generation to generation without writing, or (unless it were casually) without the least communicating them to any other Nation or Tribe (for to do so, they account a profanation): yet this fish, that does by a natural inbred Balsome, not only cure himselfe if he be wounded, but others also, loves not to live in clear streams paved with gravel, but in standing waters, where mud and the worst of weeds abound, and therefore it is, I think, that this _Tench_ is by so many accounted better for Medicines then for meat: but for the first, I am able to say little; and for the later, can say positively, that he eats pleasantly; and will therefore give you a few, and but a few directions how to catch him. [Illustration of a Tench] He will bite at a Paste made of brown bread and honey, or at a Marsh-worm, or a Lob-worm; he will bite also at a smaller worm, with his head nip'd off, and a Cod-worm put on the hook before the worm; and I doubt not but that he will also in the three hot months (for in the nine colder he stirs not much) bite at a Flag-worm, or at a green Gentle, but can positively say no more of the _Tench_, he being a fish that I have not often Angled for; but I wish my honest Scholer may, and be ever fortunate when hee fishes. _Viat_. I thank you good Master: but I pray Sir, since you see it still rains _May_ butter, give me some observations and directions concerning the _Pearch_, for they say he is both a very good and a bold biting fish, and I would faine learne to fish for him. _Pisc_. You say true, Scholer, the _Pearch_ is a very good, and a very bold biting fish, he is one of the fishes of prey, that, like the _Pike_ and _Trout_, carries his teeth in his mouth, not in his throat, and dare venture to kill and devour another fish; this fish, and the _Pike_ are (sayes _Gesner_) the best of fresh water fish; he Spawns but once a year, and is by Physicians held very nutritive; yet by many to be hard of digestion: They abound more in the River _Poe_, and in _England_, (sayes _Randelitius_) then other parts, and have in their brain a stone, which is in forrain parts sold by Apothecaries, being there noted to be very medicinable against the stone in the reins: These be a part of the commendations which some Philosophycal brain have bestowed upon the fresh-water _Pearch_, yet they commend the _Sea Pearch_, which is known by having but one fin on his back, (of which they say, we _English_ see but a few) to be a much better fish.