274 MODERN PRACTICAL ANGLER. 
years, presenting occasionally the appearance of an 
immense tumour in the region of the abdomen. 
During the winter months it is probable that both 
Carp and Tench 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 
the former species frequently lie sucking in the weeds, 
in a sort of lazy state, each suck making a very distinct 
and unmistakable noise. When not sucking or basking, 
Carp usually swim about in shoals near the surface of 
the water, returning to the bottom to feed. 
The Tench spawns, with some variations, about the 
middle of June, or according to Willoughby, when wheat 
is in blossom ; Carp usually commencing a little earlier, 
according to the temperature of the water and forward- 
ness of the season. They deposit their spawn upon and 
amongst weeds, and are supposed to continue the process 
for a longer period than any other fresh-water fish, 
indeed sometimes throughout the entire summer. 
Although by no means rarely found in rivers, Carp 
and Tench are very rarely caught there, and then, ac- 
cording to my experience, it is not when they are being 
fished for. Indeed fishing for either of these species is 
at the best but uncertain work, and in the case of rivers 
usually wholly unprofitable. 
Professor Owen, whois a great adept in ae art of 
Carp-fishing in ponds, has been kind enough to give me 
the result of his experience. 
