96 THE COMPLEAT ANGLER [PART t

CHAPTER VI

Observations of the Umber or Grayling, and Directions
how to fish for them

PISCATOR. r I fHE Umber and Grayling are thought by some to
I differ, as the Herring and Pilcher do. But though
-*• they may do so in other nations, I think those in
England differ nothing but in their names. Aldrovandus says, they
be of a Trout kind: and Gesner says, that in his country, which is
Switzerland, he is accounted the choicest of all fish. And in Italy,
he is in the month of May so highly valued, that he is sold then at
a much higher rate than any other fish. The French, which call the
Chub Un Villain, call the Umber of the lake Leman, Un Umble
Chevalier; and they value the Umber or Grayling so highly, that they
say he feeds on gold, and say that many have been caught out "of
their famous river of Loire, out of whose bellies grains of gold have
been often taken. And some think that he feeds on Water-thyme,
and smells of it at his first taking out of the water; and they may
think so with as good reason as we do, that our Smelts smell like
violets at their being first caught; which I think is a truth.
Aldrovandus says, the Salmon, the Grayling, and Trout, and all
fish that live in clear and sharp streams, are made by their mother
Nature of such exact shape and pleasant colours, purposely to invite
us to a joy and contentedness in feasting with her. Whether this
is a truth or not, is not my purpose to dispute; but 'tis certain, all
that write of the Umber declare him to be very medicinable. And
Gesner says, that the fat of an Umber or Grayling being set with
a Htde honey, a day or two in the sun in a little glass, is very excel-
lent against redness, or swarthiness, or anything that breeds in the
eyes. Salvian takes him to be called Umber from his swift swimming
or gliding out of sight, more like a shadow or a ghost than a fish.
Much more might be said both of his smell and taste, but I shall
only tell you, that St. Ambrose, the glorious Bishop oŁ Milan t who