104 THE SPORTING FISH 



deep down below the surface of the mud, and 

 reappear Hke the mud-fish of the East in undi- 

 minished numbers upon the first return of water. 



During the winter months it is probable that 

 Carp retire almost wholly into the mud, or under 

 roots, hollows, and weeds, and at this time they 

 are hardly ever to be taken with a bait. In the 

 summer they frequently lie sucking in the weeds, 

 in a sort of lazy state, each suck making a very 

 distinct and unmistakable noise. It much re- 

 sembles the sound made by a pig, — to which 

 animal, indeed, a big Carp has always appeared to 

 me to bear a striking likeness both in face and 

 character. When not sucking or basking, the Carp 

 usually swims about in shoals near the surface of 

 the water, returning to the bottom to feed. Early 

 in the morning and late in the evening are the best 

 times for Carp fishing. 



Carp spawn toward the end of May or beginning 

 of June, according to the temperature of the water 

 and the season ; they are supposed to continue 

 spawning occasionally for four or five months, and 

 always for a longer period than most other fish. 

 The ova — which in a specimen weighing 9 lbs., 

 were found by Block to number 600,000 — are de- 

 posited upon weeds, amongst which the female is 

 followed by two or three males, thus securing the 

 impregnation of a large proportion of the eggs. 



Charadcristics common to all the Corp Family. — Fin-mys 

 almost entirely flexible. Ventral fins suspended to the abdo- 



