114 BRITISH FRESH-WATER FISHES 



when the water had fallen to 90°, it appeared to be motionless ; 

 the pectoral fins and opercula (gill-covers) were the last that 

 ceased to act. Now transferred to water of 70°, it rapidly 

 revived, the gills first acting. After an interval of about an 

 hour it was put into water at 93°. This temperature it bore, 

 pretty well at first ; gradually it became languid, swimming on 

 its side. As the water cooled, its languor abated, and when 

 the temperature had fallen to 88° it had resumed its natural 

 position." 



Next, as to the change of colour under domestication, it is; 

 believed to be the result of a high water temperature — high, 

 that is, in comparison with the mean temperature of water under 

 the open sky. Mr. Houghton says that " in ordinary ponds 

 of this country the usual and prevailing colour is bronze ; the 

 golden colour is induced by a warm temperature of the water." 

 My own observation does not coincide with this. I have 

 known gold-fish exist in a terrace pond in Surrey for more than 

 twelve years, exposed to every variation of temperature, the 

 pond being fed by water from an open stream. It is true that 

 some of these fish show a preponderance of dark colour, 

 but others are clothed entirely in golden mail, and, if I 

 recollect aright, a few individuals have undergone ilirther 

 change towards albinism, and become " silver-fish." 



However, it is certain that, in their early stages of growth,, 

 gold-fish are indistinguishable from crucian carp, and that, as 

 they approach adolescence, the dark skin becomes spangled 

 with lustrous spots, which rapidly spread until the whole of 

 the scales become one uniform covering of golden mail. It 

 is this fairy metamorphosis which has made this otherwise 

 insignificant creature become a considerable article of commerce. 

 From immemorial times the Chinese have reared gold-fish as 

 decorative objects in the chambers of rich people. From the 

 Flowery Land they found their way westward with other 

 luxuries. Groundless must be the tradition that they were 

 first brought to France as an offering to Madame de Pompa- 



