270 PIKE AND OTHER COARSE FISH. 



in eluding the fatal sweep of the seine net has been described 

 by Vaniere, in his ' Predium RustLumj thus translated : 



Of all the fish that swim the watery mead, 



Not one in cunning can the carp exceed. 



Sometimes, when nets enclose the stream, she flics 



To hollow rocks, and there in secret lies ; 



Sometimes the surface of the water skims, 



And springing o'er the net undaunted swims ; 



Now motionless she lies beneath the flood, 



Holds by a weed, or deep into the mud 



Plunges her head, for fear against her will 



The nets should drag her and elude her skill ; 



Nay, not content with this, she oft will dive 



Beneath the net, and not alone contrive 



Means for her own escape ; but pity take 



On all her hapless brethren of the lake ; 



For rising, with her back she lifts the snares, 



And frees the captive with officious cares ; 



The little fry in safety swim away, 



And disappoint the nets of their expected prey. 



The fact of the carp dodging the net has been so repeatedly 

 borne testimony to, that, although not by any means inclined to 

 be d.^obe-mouclie with regard to fish anecdotes and superstitions, 

 I think it may be fairly accepted as substantially true. Indeed, 

 the carp ought to be the cleverest as they possess the largest 

 brain in proportion of any fresh-water fish, and the bones of 

 the head are remarkable for their exquisite polish and symmetry. 

 Fiction, if not fact, has, however, failed to credit the carp with 

 the uncircumventible sagacity which is the theme of so many 

 angling writers. In a curious old book, ' Dialogus Great urain 

 MoralizatusJ published in 1480, it is recorded that at a red 

 fish festival the carp and the grayling quarrelled on a point 

 of precedence. 



'I bask in the favour of the great and powerful,' said the 

 carp, ' even man condescends to take care of me, and make 

 ponds for my special use and protection.' 'Ijiit,' retorted the 

 grayling, 'look at my elegant form and glittering scales, I 



