The Minnow Family 241 



as our waters seem to be particularly suited to it. 

 As there are so many better species of food-fishes 

 in this country, both in fresh and salt water, 

 there was no excuse or necessity for its intro- 

 duction, which I consider as great a calamity as 

 that of the English sparrow or the Shanghai 

 chicken, and adding a third foreign evil that we 

 will never be rid of. 



I have experimented with carp fishing, but I 

 think the results were never twice alike. A 

 great deal depends on the condition of the water. 

 In ponds that are kept constantly muddy by the 

 rooting of the carp, it is difficult for them to see 

 the bait, and they must then depend on the 

 olfactory sense to find it. This may take a longer 

 time than the patience of the angler will admit. 

 When the water is clear, as on a stream, the carp 

 is too apt to see the angler, and being naturally a 

 shy fish will not go near the bait under these 

 circumstances. There is then nothing to do but 

 to fix the rod in the bank and lie down beside it, 

 or behind a bush or screen, until the moving of 

 the float announces the hooking of the fish. By 

 using a small float, fine line, and very small hooks, 

 and a variety of baits, as earthworms, boiled 

 grain or vegetables, pastes of various kinds, and 



