CARP. BARBEL. TENCH. 293 



THE CARP. 



Hiis fish, though now so well known, was not intro- 

 d ced into this island till about the year 1514. It is the 

 most suitable for stocking ponds, on account of its quick 

 growth and prodigious increase. The body is thick ; the 

 scales are very large, the jaws of equal length; and on 

 each side of the mouth is a single beard, and above these 

 are two shorter. The average weight is about five pounds, 

 but some have reached twenty. Carps are long-lived, and 

 one has been known to attain a hundred years. They are 

 capable of existing a considerable time out of their native 

 element, and have even been regularly fed, by a particular 

 process, after being taken from the pond. They are ex- 

 cessively cunning, and shy of taking a bait; though during 

 spawning-time they will suffer themselves to be tickled, 

 handled, and caught with facility. 



THE BARBEL. 



This is a very coarse fish, and seldom eaten but by the 

 poor, who sometimes boil a little bacon with it, in order 

 to heighten its relish. The roe is very unwholesome. 



Barbels frequent the still and deep parts of rivers ; and 

 live in society, rooting, like swine, with their noses in the 

 soft banks. They are very tame, and easily caught by the 

 hand. They are commonly about three feet long, and 

 will weigh twenty-five pounds. The belly is white, and 

 the dorsal fin is armed with a remarkably strong spine, 

 sharply serrated, with which the fish inflicts a severe and 

 dangerous wound. 



THE TENCH. 



Though this fish was anciently in as little repute as the 

 barbel, its flesh is now in much estimation. In this coun- 

 try, at least, it is reckoned a wholesome and delicious 

 food. Its usual weight is about four pounds; but some 

 have been known to weigh ten, or even more. It loves 

 still waters ; and is simple and easily caught. 

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