622 



NATURAL HISTORY OF AQUATIC ANIMALS. 



takes place during the latter month seems to grow out of an accumulation of fat which is being 

 deposited around the entrails. In ponds which contain plenty of food and healthy water, in an 

 ordinary year, the growth and increase of weight in the year will be represented in figures as 

 follows : 



If the weather in the mouth of May be mild and warm from the beginning, a better growth 

 may be expected, amounting, as in June, to about thirty per centum. This month (May) is decid- 

 edly of great importance for the growth of the fish during the current year, for, in proportion as 

 the fish has grown in the short space of one month, it will take more food in the following ones, as 

 the increase of its growth and consequent wants will demand. Guitarists, therefore, consider the 

 mouth of May as being the most important of the whole period of the Carp's growth. The above- 

 given calculations, of course, are limited to ponds in which no artificial feeding is resorted to, but 

 in which there is sufficient food by reason of the good quality of the water and soil which pro- 

 duces it. 



In small ponds, situated in parks or gardens, which possess favorable soil and river water, the 

 increase of weight will be even a little greater if feeding is had recourse to, for such small ponds 

 (covering only half an acre) cannot produce sufficient food themselves. On the whole, feeding is 

 a makeshift, as will be seen presently, and which in very large ponds of more than from twenty 

 to one thousand acres should not be made use of. 



The above calculations are only admissible for Central Europe, from the Adriatic to the Baltic 

 and the North Sea. In countries farther north, as in Sweden, the growth of the Carp is less, as, 

 on the contrary, in more southern countries than Central Europe, for instance in Illyria, Dalmatia, 

 Southern Italy, Southern Spain, and partly, also, Southern France, the result is more favorable 

 still. There a milder and warmer climate, an early spring, a very warm summer and autumn, and 

 a late winter, which, in addition, is mild and short, combine to exercise a favorable influence upon 

 the thriving condition of the fishes. In these warm climates the fish becomes lively at a much 

 earlier season, if it does at all pass the winter in that lethargic state, without taking any food, 

 than it does in the countries of the northern parts of Central Europe. 



REPRODUCTION. The pond Carp of Central Europe generally leaves its winter retreat when 

 the rays of the spring sun have warmed the water thoroughly, while at the same time it begins to 

 seek for food at a somewhat earlier period in rivers and lakes. At the beginning of the month of 

 March the eggs have developed themselves considerably in the body of the fish, and it only needs 

 a few weeks of warm weather to bring about the spawning season. This commences in the middle 

 of May in such lakes and ponds of Central and Northern France, Southern Germany and Austria, 

 as have a warm situation and are sheltered from the cold winds. It continues in some localities 

 throughout June and July, and sometimes, in more elevated situations, until August, as, for 

 instance, in Francouia and Upper Bavaria. The spawn of so late a season, however, is scarcely 

 fit for breeding purposes, as the fish cannot grow much more during the short space of warm 

 weather. It remains very small and suffers greatly from the ensuing winter weather, and is easily 



