chap, ix.] THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 159 



Carps and Loaches are observed to breed several 

 months in one year, which Pikes and most other fish 

 do not. And this is partly proved by tame and wild 

 rabbits, as also by some ducks, which will lay 

 eggs nine of the twelve months ; and yet there be 

 other ducks that lay not longer than about one 

 month. And it is the rather to be believed, because 

 you shall scarce or never take a Male- Carp without 

 a melt, or a female without a roe or spawn, and 

 for the most part very much ; and especially all the 

 summer season : and it is observed, that they breed 

 more naturally in ponds than in running waters, if 

 they breed there at all ; and that those that live in 

 rivers, are taken by men of the best palates to be 

 much the better meat. 



And it is observed, that in some ponds Carps will 

 not breed, especially in cold ponds ; but where they 

 will breed, they breed innumerably : Aristotle and 

 Pliny say, six times in a year, if there be no Pikes 

 nor Pearch to devour their spawn when it is cast 

 upon grass, or flags, or weeds, where it lies ten or 

 twelve days before it be enlivened. 



The Carp, if he have water-room and good feed, 

 will grow to a very great bigness and length ; I 

 have heard, to be much above a yard long. 'Tis 

 said, by Jovius, who hath writ of fishes, that in the 

 lake Lurian in Italy, Carps have thriven to be more 

 than fifty pounds weight ; which is the more proba- 

 ble, for as the bear is conceived and born suddenly, 

 and being born is but short-lived, so, on the con- 



