ABDOMINAL MALACOPTERYGII. 125 



more than the great difference sometimes observed in 

 the number and size of the fins, these variations 

 being merely the result of domestication. They are, 

 however, always beautiful, and kept as they are in 

 clear glass globes, where 



" The Goldfish gleams through the crystal vase," 



occasionally dilating to gigantic proportions by the 

 refraction of the water, they form an interesting and 

 pleasing object, "not to mention that the introduction 

 of another element and its inhabitants into our par- 

 lours engages the fancy in a very agreeable manner." 

 " They even recommend themselves," says Mr. Jesse, 

 " by another agreeable quality, that of appearing to 

 entertain an affection for each other. A person who 

 kept two together in a glass, gave one of them away ; 

 the other refused to eat, and showed evident symp- 

 toms of unhappiness, till his companion was restored 

 to him."* A correspondent in the Penny Magazinef 

 gives some particulars of* their habits, which we 

 abridge: "They breed in ponds and small portions 

 of water, but are not to be found in any of our rivers. 

 A flow of water, even through a pond, is almost sure 

 of destroying them, the water by such a change prov- 

 ing too cold for them ; but in stagnant water, and 

 even in fetid ditches, they appear to do well. Their 

 spawning time in England varies according to the 

 season, from May to July. The approach of this sea- 

 son, is known by their following each other with very 



* Gleanings in Nat. History. t 1835, p. 59. 



