THE GOLD FISH. I97 



In these they are very lively and active, sporting 

 about the surface of the water with great vivacity; 

 but they are so very delicate that, if great guns are 

 fired, or any substances giving out a powerful smell, 

 as pitch or tar, are burned near them, numbers of 

 them will be killed. — In each of the ponds or ba- 

 sins where they are kept, there is an earthen pan 9 

 with holes in it, turned upside down. Under this 

 they retire when, at any time, they find the rays of 

 the sun too powerful. The water is changed three or 

 four times a week. Whilst this is done, it is neces- 

 sary to remove the fish into another vessel ; but they 

 are always taken out by means of a net, for the 

 Jeast handling would destroy them. 



When Gold-fish are kept in ponds, they are often 

 taught to rise to the surface of the water at the 

 sound of a bell, to be fed. At Pekin, for three or 

 •four months of the winter, or whilst the cold wea- 

 ther lasts, the fish in the ponds are not fed at all. 

 They are able, during that time, to get the small 

 quantity of food they require in the water. In 

 order to prevent their being frozen, they are often 

 taken into the houses, and kept in china vessels, 

 till the warm weather of spring allows their being 

 returned to their ponds with safety. 



In hot countries, Gold-Bsh multiply very fast, if 

 care be taken to remove the spawn, which swims 

 on the surface of the water, into other ponds, for 

 otherwise the animals would devour the greater 

 part of it. The young fry, when first produced, 

 are perfectly black ; but they afterwards change to 



