114 BRITISH FRESH-WATER FISHES 
when the water had fallen to go’, it appeared to be motionless ; 
the pectoral fins and opercula (gill-covers) were the last that 
ceased to act. Now transferred to water of 70’, it rapidly 
revived, the gills first acting. After an interval of about an 
hour it was put into water at 93°. This temperature it bore 
pretty well at first ; gradually it became languid, swimming on 
its side. As the water cooled, its languor abated, and when 
the temperature had fallen to 88° it had resumed its natural 
position.” 
Next, as to the change of colour under domestication, it is. 
believed to be the result of a high water temperature—high, 
that is, in comparison with the mean temperature of water under 
the open sky. Mr. Houghton says that “in ordinary ponds 
of this country the usual and prevailing colour is bronze ; the 
golden colour is induced by a warm temperature of the water.” 
My own observation does not coincide with this. I have 
known gold-fish exist in a terrace pond in Surrey for more than 
twelve years, exposed to every variation of temperature, the 
pond being fed by water from an open stream. It is true that 
some of these fish show a preponderance of dark colour, 
but others are clothed entirely in golden mail, and, if I 
recollect aright, a few individuals have undergone further 
change towards albinism, and become “ silver-fish.” 
However, it is certain that, in their early stages of growth, 
gold-fish are indistinguishable from crucian carp, and that, as 
they approach adolescence, the dark skin becomes spangled 
with lustrous spots, which rapidly spread until the whole of 
the scales become one uniform covering of golden mail. It 
is this fairy metamorphosis which has made this otherwise 
insignificant creature become a considerable article of commerce. 
From immemorial times the Chinese have reared gold-fish as 
decorative objects in the chambers of rich people. From the 
Flowery Land they found their way westward with other 
luxuries. Groundless must be the tradition that they were 
first brought to France as an offering to Madame de Pompa- 
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