fish is highly esteemed for its fine flavour.
Gudgeons generally hide themselves under weeds, in rough water, and among the sedge growing at the sides of rivers, particularly during the spawning season, which commences about the middle of April, and terminates with the month of May. When full of spawn, they are of a superior flavour, and this period includes the latter part of March, and the first half of April.
The proper season for taking gudgeon is in the months of March, April, and May, but the rods, lines, baits, &c. differ in several material respects, according to the particular time of the year fixed upon for angling. In general, however, the rods should be of a small size, and the line a single horse-hair, or that of a goat may be substituted. The hooks should also be very small, three or four of which must be affixed to each line, at the distance of six inches from each other; and the depths at which the sportsman is to angle, vary according to the season of the year, the nature of the water, and other circumstances. The most general bait for gudgeons are, blood-worms and white-paste.
On taking his stand, the angler may throw in bread as a ground-bait; but the common method of disturbing the bed of the river with a rake, should be adopted only in warm seasons. Sometimes it is attended with good effects to plumb the bottom, or at least to drop the plummet rather deep. A curious double plugged float, and small shot, fixed at about three inches from the hook, is generally used with success in catching these fish.
GUELDER-ROSE, or Viburnum, L. a genus of plants comprising twenty-two species, two of which are natives of Britain.
1. The Lantana, Mealy Guelder-rose, Pliant Mealy Tree, or Wayfaring Tree, which grows in calcareous soils to the height of 18 to 20 feet, in woods and hedges; it produces large white flowers in May, and black farinaceous berries in October. The young branches and rind of the trunk of this species may be employed for bands and cords. It is, however, chiefly esteemed for its beautiful foliage, which renders it an ornament to parks and plantations. The bark of its root is used for the preparation of bird-lime; the berries attract birds, and are of a drying, astringent nature.
2. The Opulus, Common Guelder-rose, or Water Elder, which grows in woods and damp hedges; bears white blossoms in May or June, and red berries in September.—When in bloom, this tree exhibits a singularly fine appearance: the flowers, though small, are formed into large globular umbels, whence, it is sometimes called the Snow-ball tree.—Birds are enticed by the red berries, but will not eat them.—According to Bechstein, these berries may be preserved in vinegar, and the tough, hard wood is employed by shoe-makers for small pegs of heels.
GUINEA, a British gold coin, thus denominated, because the precious ore from which the first guineas were coined, was originally imported from the coast of Guinea.
The value or rate of this coin has frequently varied: when first struck, its current price was 20s.; on account of the scarcity of gold, it afterwards advanced to 21s.
