134 LAKES AND RIVERS. 



herbs and butter, it is a dish much relished by the 

 gourmand. In many lakes and ponds the Carp is 

 plentiful, as it is in some rivers in England and 

 France. This fish was much cultivated formerly in 

 fish-preserves, and there are many remains of old 

 carp-ponds, especially in the neighbourhood of con- 

 vents. Being susceptible of conversion into a dainty 

 dish, it was an excellent substitute for meat during 

 Lent and other fasts. The Golden Carp, or goldfish, 

 is now naturalized in Britain, and though formerly 

 only known in glass vases within-doors, is now not 

 uncommon in ponds in various parts of the country. 

 It is a native of China, and is said by Mr. Buckland 

 to breed most abundantly in this country in the mill- 

 dams and ponds of the manufacturing districts, where, 

 from access of the warm water of the steam-engines 

 the temperature does not become very low. The 

 common Carp sometimes weighs 20 lb., but the usual 

 size and weight is not half this amount. The Prussian 

 Carp (Cyprinus gibelio) is well adapted for ponds. It 

 has a metallic lustre ; the eye is yellow, and the fins 

 orange-red. It weighs about a pound. Mr. Buck- 

 land says he obtained it from the Serpentine. 



The Barbel (Barbus vulgaris, Barbus fluvidtilis, or 

 Cyprinus barbus) is common in rapid streams, and 

 plentiful in the Thames near London. The name is 

 given to it on account of its barbs or wattles at the mouth. 

 The liver of this fish is called poisonous, and it is not 

 otherwise a good fish for the table. It feeds on slugs 

 and worms. It furnishes an amusing sport to those 

 who like fishing from a punt, but as it is not desirable 

 as food, unless they become too numerous there is 



