NATURAL HISTORY, TORONTO REGION 



with scales, this last being the most abundant form 

 in our waters. No greater mistake was ever made 

 than the introduction of this fish into North Ameri- 

 can waters. In England, where it is well known, it 

 was considered about the most worthless fish they 

 had, and one of the most difficult to get rid of, where 

 once it had become established. On some parts of 

 the continent of Europe, however, where good fish 

 are scarce, the Carp was cultivated and fed in ponds 

 with care, and, probably because the people knew no 

 better, it was more appreciated. In this country, 

 where fish of the highest quality should be obtainable 

 by every one, there is no place for the Carp. DeKay 

 states that it was first introduced into New York 

 waters in 1831. In 1870 it was taken to California, 

 and in 1877 the United States Fishery Commis- 

 sioners imported a considerable number and propa- 

 gated them only too successfully. Since then they 

 have spread into all accessible waters and have 

 become an unbearable nuisance wherever found, for 

 not only are they damaging our fisheries, but also, by 

 reason of their destruction of the wild rice beds, they 

 are causing the wild fowl to avoid the feeding 

 grounds to which they formerly resorted during the 

 autumn flight. The food of Carp consists princi- 

 pally of insects and vegetable matter, preferably, per- 

 haps, of the seeds, young shoots and tender roots of 

 aquatic plants ; when feeding it constantly grubs up 

 the bottom, thereby stirring the mud and keeping the 

 water in such a dirty condition that none of our 

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