Page:British Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fresh-water Fishes.djvu/98

BRITISH FRESH-WATER FISHES species is contained in Dame Juliana Berner's " Boke of St. Albans," which was first published in 1496, and dealt with the subjects of Hawking, Hunting, and Fishing. She was an Abbess of the Nunnery in question. As will be noticed, the present species belongs to a different genus to the other two, as it has two barbels on each side of the mouth, and may be at once identified by this means.

It is an inhabitant of lakes, ponds, and rivers that are not too fast-flowing. The largest fish I am acquainted with have resided for many years in a deep pool of the River Lea near Hatfield. They delight in a muddy bottom, and even a wayside pond is likely to contain a good many specimens. These, however, will be found to be small in size owing, apparently, to the meagre food-supply. They are very hardy fish, and do well in an aquarium. The diet is made up for the most part of water-weeds, but animal food is also taken, such as insects, shrimps, worms, and the like.

As with Eels, Carp resort to the bottom during Winter, and will pass the time huddled together with their heads just protruding from the mud. They do not feed when in this torpid condition. The adult fish are difficult to catch with rod and line, as an old Carp is a wary creature, and is not readily caught napping. Young Crucian Carp are much more easily lured.

It spawns in the early days of Summer in secluded retreats, depositing a large number of small eggs where the water is shallow, and there is a good supply of weeds. 80