624 NATURAL HISTORY OF AQUATIC ANIMALS. 



greater number of them I discovered on the Festuca fluitans, which among fishermen is known 

 generally by the name of "water-grass." Its narrow, long, strap-shaped, thin leaves spread softly 

 over the water's surface, as also its numerous branches in the water afford to Ihe fish the sought- 

 for opportunity to deposit its eggs upon its tender leaves. The seeds of this grass are an excellent 

 food for the Carp. This may be regarded as a useful indication to be acted upon in the construc- 

 tion of ponds. 



The eggs will develope themselves quickly if assisted by warm weather. As early as the fifth 

 or sixth day the first traces of dusky spots, the eyes, will be visible, and toward the twelfth, or at 

 the latest the sixteenth day the little embryo fish Will break through its envelope. This rapid 

 development takes place only in shallow, thoroughly-warmed ponds, or in such as were expressly 

 constructed for hatching, and called breeding ponds. If these poiids are deep, and consequently 

 their water is colder, the hatching process may require as many as twenty days. In from three to 

 five days the young fish has absorbed the yolks, and seeks its food. If the breeding pond be pro- 

 ductive enough to furnish the necessary food for so many young fishes, these will grow very rap- 

 idly. I shall return to this subject hereafter. 



I remarked above that the Carp prefers stagnant or slowly-running water with a muddy bot- 

 tom, and that it lives upon vegetable as well as animal food, aquatic plants, seeds, worms, and 

 larvae of water insects; it is therefore no fish of prey. It does not attack other fishes, and has no 

 teeth in its mouth, but only in the throat, and is, on account of its harmlessness, an excellent fish 

 for the culturist, as well as for stocking large lakes and rivers in general. 



GROWTH AND SIZE. Its growth differs, according as the fish inhabits cold or warm water, a 

 river, lake, or pond, finding plentiful food therein, or I'eing fed. An additional factor is the quality 

 of the soil, whether muddy or stony. In cold water, or such as has a stony ground, the Oarp will 

 not progress favoiably. For this reason, the statements concerning its normal size, attained to 

 in a certain given time, differ widely. Very naturally, it will exercise an extremely great influence 

 upon the thriving of the fishes whether the pond contains a great number or only a few of them; 

 whether it is overstocked, as culturists term it, or whether there are only a proportionate number 

 of fishes in it, according to its capability of producing food. Other considerations remain to be 

 mentioned, namely, Is the pond provided with supplies from brooks falling into it, or are th fishes 

 to be fed t The latter course is almost indispensable in the culture of trout. The expenses 

 incurred in this case diminish the income of the culturist; if not resorted to, the result will be the 

 same, as the value of the fish will be smaller. This feeding is needless with the Carp, if it be cul- 

 tivated judiciously in suitable ponds, and for this reason alone the culture of the Carp is preferable 

 to that of the trout. 



In rivers and lakes it grows larger, although the same fish; for the reason, probably, that in 

 a larger space, which at the same time yields more sheltered retreats, it escapes from the pursuit 

 of man more easily than in regular artificial ponds, and finds more plentiful supplies of food. 



The question of the species, or I would rather say the race, is of great moment, particularly in 

 respect to carp-culture in ponds. 



A favorable result may be expected from the culture of this fish wherever the necessary water 

 ia to be found, be it in the north or south, and that, too, as well in ponds as in open lakes and 

 rivers. 



The normal weight which a Carp may attain to in three years, whether it be Scale Carp, 

 Mirror Carp, or Leather Carp, is an average of from three to three and one-fourth pounds; that 

 is, a fish which has lived two summers, consequently is eighteen months old, will weigh two and 

 three fourths to three and one-fourth pounds the year following. The growth may turn out to be 



