Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/328

296] towards the sides, in order to allow the fish to sun themselves, and deposit their spawn. Gravelly and sandy bottoms, especially the latter, are well calculated to promote the breeding of these animals: and a fat soil, with a white rich water, such as the washings of hills, commons, streets, sinks, &c. is said to be the most proper for fattening all sorts of fish.

For storing a pond, carp is to be preferred, on account of its delicacy, quick growth, and prolific nature, as it breeds five or six times a year. This fish delights in ponds that have marl or clay bottoms, with plenty of weeds and grass, on which it chiefly subsists during the hot months.

In a late publication, we meet with the following singular method of furnishing a fish-pond with a variety of fish: About the latter end of April, or the beginning of May, take the root of a willow that stands near the water side, and is full of fibres; wash off the earth which adheres to it, then fasten it to a spike, and drive it into a river or pond well stored with fish: they will speedily be induced to deposit their spawn or roe on the fibres of the root. After a few days (in cool weather, perhaps, weeks), remove the spike, with the willow root, from the pond, and convey it to that which you design to store, driving it to the depth of four or six inches under the surface of the water; and, in about a fortnight, a great number of young fish will appear. The root, however, should not be left too long in the first pond or river, lest the heat of the sun animate the spawn, and disengage it from the root.

Ponds should be drained every three or four years, and the fish sorted. In those which are kept for breeding fish, the smaller kind should be taken out, for storing other ponds; but a good stock of females, at least eight or nine years old, ought to remain, as they never breed before that age.

Stealing of fish, by persons armed and disguised, is felony without, by 9th I. c. 22, and by 5th  III. c. 14, the penalty of transportation for seven years, is inflicted on persons committing depredations on fish, in any water, within a park, paddock, orchard, or yard; as likewise on the receivers, aiders, or abettors; and a forfeiture of 5l. to the owner of the fishery is to be paid by persons taking or destroying (or attempting so to do) any fish in rivers or other waters within an inclosed ground, being private property.  FISTULA, in general, denotes any ulcerated and sinuous cavity, with callous and elevated edges, which extends to a carious bone.

This formidable disease is, according to the parts which it attacks, called either fistula lachrymalis, that is, a sinuous ulcer of the lachrymal sac or duct, beginning with a tumor between the inner cornea of the eye, and the side of the nose; or a fistula in perinæo, namely, an ulcer communicating with the urinary canal, but sometimes opening into the bladder; or fistula in ano, when the ulcer is in the vicinity of the rectum or straight-gut.—The first generally appears in ricketty children, or such as are subject to glandular obstructions; the second may arise from wounds in the bladder and of the urethra, from external violence, &c. but is most frequently occasioned