THE CARP. 129 



Subject to two diseases. 



begins to be frozen, the carp seek the deepest 

 part; they there make holes in the form of a ba- 

 sin, in which they bury themselves, crowding 

 as close to each other as herrings in a cask ; arid 

 thus they pass the winter without motion or food, 

 It has been found that a carp weighing three 

 pounds and a half, does not lose above a quarter 

 of a pound during this long fast. 



If lightning strike upon a pond or lake, it has 

 been observed that the fish die in the course of 

 a few days ; but this may be prevented by im- 

 mediately letting off the water, and introducing 

 fresh : very few of the fish perish when this pre- 

 caution is taken * 



Carp are subject to two diseases, called the 

 small-pox, and the moss. The former consists 

 of pustules which appear between the skin and 

 the scales, and is seldom mortal. The latter 

 shews itself in small excrescences resembling 

 moss, which are perceptible on the head and down 

 the back. Of this disease, caused by corrupted 

 waters brought by violent rains, the carp fre- 

 quently die. The only remedy for it is to renew 

 the water of the pond. The carp likewise fall 

 sick, if a great quantity of snow-water run into 

 the pond in consequence of a sudden thaw. But 

 if they have a sufficiency of fresh water in sum- 

 mer, if the season be not too hot, and if in winter, 

 care be taken to prevent their being stifled un- 

 der the ice, the proprietor need be under no ap- 



VOL. V. NO. 33. B 



