48 



MALACOP. ABDOM. CARP FAMILY, 



whether from the character of the water, or from 

 the cUmate, as is more probable, it has hitherto 

 been found no where to thrive ; — a remark appli- 

 cable to all cold countries. In the pond of Red- 

 braes, near Edinburgh, observes Mr. Stoddart, seven 

 or eight Carp have been maintained for several years, 

 along with numbers of Perch, and though of both 

 sexes, no disposition to spawn has yet been appa- 

 rent; in fact, he adds, it may be safely asserted, 

 judging from what we have heard upon the subject, 

 that Carp will not thrive in Scotland until some 

 means be discovered for meliorating the climate, and 

 giving a soft quality to the water. In favouring 

 circumstances, on the contrary, their fecundity is 

 very great, so that no fewer than 700,000 ova have 

 been found in a single Carp ; and this property 

 would appear to increase with their years. The 

 ova are deposited upon weeds, among which the 

 female is followed by two or three males, in these 

 islands, in the months of May and June ; and they 

 are in best condition from October till April. They 

 are altogether fresh- water fish, in rivers preferring 

 those parts where the current is not too strong, and 

 thriving best in muddy bottoms. On this account, 

 lakes, and even ponds, appear to be their favourite 

 resorts, especially where they have the benefit of 

 shade from an overhanging grove of trees. 



Angling for Carp, says Isaac Walton, " requires 

 a large measure of patience;" nor are they easily 

 captured by the net, since they manage to bury 

 themselves in the mud. During the winter season 



