The Fifth Day 201 



not breed, then no care is to be taken whether there 

 be most male or female Carps. 



It is observed that the best ponds to breed Carps 

 are those that be stony or sandy, and are warm, 

 and free from wind ; and that are not deep, but have 

 willow-trees and grass on their sides, over which the 

 water does sometimes flow: and note, that Carps 

 do more usually breed in marie-pits, or pits that 

 have clean clay bottoms ; or in new ponds, or ponds 

 that lie dry a winter season, than in old ponds that 

 be full of mud and weeds. 



Well, Scholar, I have told you the substance of 

 all that either observation or discourse, or a diligent 

 survey of Dubravius and Lebault hath told me : not 

 that they, in their long discourses, have not said 

 more ; but the most of the rest are so common ob- 

 servations, as if a man should tell a good arith- 

 metician that twice two is four. I will therefore put 

 an end to this discourse ; and we will here sit down 

 and rest us. 



