CARP AND TENCH. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



CAEP AND TENCH. 



fHE Carp is a beautiful fish in appearance, of a bronzy 

 gold color, with large scales, and having two wattles 

 under the mouth which is of small size. The fins and 

 tail are of a dark hue, the dorsal fin extending over 

 the greater portion of the back. Carp spawn about May, and 

 are best caught from July to September; they have been 

 taken in the Thames in January when the weather has been 

 very fine. They prefer lakes and ponds to rivers, in some 

 they grow to a large size. Salter mentions one he saw taken 

 from the pond hi Wanstead Park, facing Tilney House, this 

 he says appeared much wasted from age, 1 but weighed then 

 eighteen pounds. In Germany they attain a still larger size, 

 but I do not remember to have seen one in England that 

 exceeded twelve pounds. They are an extremely shy fish, 

 especially the larger ones, who seem to increase in craftiness 

 as they do in weight and years. There is, however, no rule 

 without an exception, for I have observed some splendid 

 fellows in the ponds of the Palace Gardens at Versailles, who 

 appeared to be perfectly tame, probably owing to being fed 

 with bread crumbs by visitors. They are not numerous in 

 the Thames ; though I know of a few artful old Carp, who 

 inhabit a certain deep pool at Weybridge, who appear to glory 

 in their extreme wisdom, and will roll over the line, and appear 

 to bid defiance to the angler. Late in the month of July, 

 1858, on a hot summer's afternoon, I was Barbel-fishing in 

 the eddy off Ham Point, Weybridge ; the water being quite 

 twenty feet deep and as clear as glass. I did not so much 

 as touch a Barbel, but took with my single rod, three, mag- 

 nificent Carp, weighing respectively eight, five, and four 

 pounds; ten Eels, nine large Perch, and one Bream; the 



