THE CARP FAMILY. 



105 



whether accidentally or on purpose, have a singular habit, 

 on occasion, of cutting through the angler 5 s line with the 

 sharp spine of their dorsal fin. It also seems to be a well- 

 established fact that when they perceive a net approaching 

 they will bury their noses in the mud of the bottom, and 

 refuse to move, even though the leads of the net sweep 

 heavily over them. By this means they escape. If, how- 

 ever, they should happen to be dragged up by the net, they 

 will frequently endeavour, like the Grey Mullet, to spring 

 over the top ; in fact there is no doubt that the Carp quite 

 merits his sobriquet of the " Water-Fox." 





The chamber for lodging the brain is particularly well 

 closed and compact, as will be seen by a reference to the 

 engraving. 



