MALACOPTERYGII ABDOMINALES. 457 



Tsienking, in China, in the province of The-kiang, about the 

 30th degree of latitude. It is at present extended through the 

 other provinces of China, in Japan, in all Europe, and in 

 America, in consequence of the brilliancy and variety of its 

 colours, which cause it to be brought up in a domestic state. 

 Like all other animals which man has in some degree sub- 

 jected to himself, it presents varieties almost without number, 

 both of hue and form. The differences, however, of colora- 

 tion, which are the result of age, must not be numbered 

 among these ; in fact, Chinese carp are generally black 

 during the first years of their life. Some silvery points 

 subsequently announce the development of their magnificent 

 dress, which occasionally disappears in old age. 



When they live in a spacious pond they may arrive to the 

 length of from eleven to fifteen inches. 



They have been brought up in England from the year 1011. 

 The first that were seen in France were brought there for 

 Madame de Pompadour. In China they have been for ages 

 ihe ornament of the houses and gardens of the rich. 



These fishes, when placed in vivaria or in basins, find a 

 sufficient degree of nutriment. If, however, the bottom be 

 sandy, some clung may be thrown in, with some wheaten 

 bread or hempseed. They must also be protected by foliage 

 from the heat of the sun. 



If they are kept in glass vessels they are fed with crumbs 

 of bread, yolks of eggs boiled hard, and broken into small 

 fragments, flies, small snails, worms, mince-meat, &c. During 

 summer, the water in the vessels must be renewed nearly 

 every two days, but only once a week or a fortnight in 

 winter. 



The golden carp spawn in spring, and multiply extremely. 

 They are not, however, sufficiently extended among us to 

 form an article of food : they are used for the purposes of 



