io8 THE MAMMALS, REPTILES, AND FISHES OF ESSEX. 



Ibs., but there is no water in Great Britain in which this fish 

 would ever be expected to grow to anything like that size. It 

 would thrive in many an ornamental water, in which at present 

 only coarse fish disport themselves ; but neither from the angler's 

 nor from the gastronome's point of view does it offer any 

 particular inducement to introduce it. Living on such fish as are 

 habitually feeding on the ground, it takes the bait only when 

 sunk to the bottom, and at night-time, rather than during the 

 day. 



Young Wels frequently appear on the table where the fish is 

 common ; and, in the fish-market at Berlin, even larger specimens of 

 40 Ibs. or 50 Ibs. used to find a ready sale. 



As I have not heard that the presence of Mr. Nocton's Silurus in 

 the Stour has caused any great decrease in the population of that 

 river, I am still of opinion that the introduction of this interesting 

 species can be safely recommended to those who prefer the 

 occasional excitement of an unusual capture to the monotonous 

 landing of half-pound Roach; and I am very glad to find from 

 this fortunate event that at least the practicability of acclimatising 

 Silurus in Great Britain has been proved. 



A. GUNTHER." 



Family CYPRINID^E, Day. 

 Genus CYPRINUS, Artedi. 



Cyprinus carpio, Linn. CARP. 



This is found in many of the sluggish streams. It also 

 occurs in numerous ponds throughout Essex. I have seen an 

 example, weighing i\\ Ibs., which was taken in the Colne, 

 at Earls Colne, on June i8th, 1889, and another weighing 

 about 6 Ibs., taken August 8th, 1 890, in the flood-gate hole at 

 East Mill, Colchester. 



Genus CARASSIUS, Nilss. 



Carassius vulgaris, Nord. CRUCIAN OR PRUSSIAN CARP. 



This fish has been introduced into many of our ponds, but 

 I do not know of its occurrence in any of our streams, except 

 the Lea, where one was caught by Mr. Williams, near 

 Tottenham (Land and Water, November I2th, 1887, p. 412). 



