THE CARP FAMILY. 117 



Gold-fish, to consume the refuse grease that would other- 

 wise impede the cooling of the water by collecting on the 

 surface; and under these conditions they multiply with 

 wonderful rapidity. Six fish were put into a dam of this 

 description, and they increased so fast, that at the end of 

 three years, when accidentally poisoned by an escape of ver- 

 digris, their progeny were taken out by wheelbarrowsful. 



The Gold-fish is susceptible of almost infinite variations, 

 not only in colour but even in the number and shape of 

 the fins, some having double anal fins, others triple tails ; 

 some a very long back-fin, others a very short one; and 

 one specimen is mentioned which had none whatever. 

 M. Be Sauvigny * has given representations of eighty-nine 

 varieties of this Carp, embracing almost every shade and 

 combination of silver, orange, and purple. They are, how- 

 ever, useful as well as ornamental in some countries, where 

 they form a not uncommon article of diet. In size they 

 seldom exceed 10 inches, five of which are attained, under 

 favourable circumstances, during the first year. The young 

 fry are dark-coloured, almost approaching to black. 



* Histoire Naturelle des Dorades de la Chine. 



