2/6 MODERN PRACTICAL ANGLER. 



years, presenting occasionally the appearance of an 

 immense tumour in the region of the abdomen. 



During the winter months it is probable that both 

 Carp and Tench retire almost wholly into the mud, or 

 under roots, hollows, and weeds, and at this time they 

 are hardly ever to be taken with a bait. In the summer 

 the former species frequently lie sucking in the weeds, 

 in a sort of lazy state, each suck making a very distinct 

 and unmistakable noise. When not sucking or basking, 

 Carp usually swim about in shoals near the surface of 

 the water, returning to the bottom to feed. 



The Tench spawns, with some variations, about the 

 middle of June, or according to Willoughby, when wheat 

 is in blossom ; Carp usually commencing a little earlier, 

 according to the temperature of the water and forward- 

 ness of the season. They deposit their spawn upon and 

 amongst weeds, and are supposed to continue the process 

 for a longer period than any other fresh-water fish, 

 indeed sometimes throughout the entire summer. 



Although by no means rarely found in rivers, Carp 

 and Tench are very rarely caught there, and then, ac- 

 cording to my experience, it is not when they are being 

 fished for. Indeed fishing for either of these species is 

 at the best but uncertain work, and in the case of rivers 

 usually wholly unprofitable. 



Professor Owen, who is a great adept in the art of 

 Carp-fishing in ponds, has been kind enough to give me 

 the result of his experience. 



