CONCERNING GOLDFISH 237 



proceeded, it was taught to wriggle out of the water, 

 over the edge of the basin, and into the hands of 

 its master ; while, moreover, it would also pass 

 under and over a stick or through hoops which 

 were placed in the water, either by swimming in a 

 normal manner or upon its side. It would after- 

 wards progress backwards, and then conclude the 

 entertainment by kissing the man as he bent over 

 the water and placed his lips just under the smrface. 



During the winter months carp become very 

 lethargic, retire to the bottom of their ponds and 

 bury themselves in the mud. They grow very 

 quickly, especially if kept in stagnant water, and 

 have been known to weigh as much as twenty 

 pounds ; while their span of life has been estimated 

 to be one hundred and fifty years or more. 



In former days the fish were much appreciated 

 as food in England ; and Mr. G. C. Bateman tells 

 us that on the Continent they are ' fattened by 

 being suspended in the air in a net containing damp 

 moss, and in that position they are fed upon bread 

 and mUk, put into their mouths with a wooden 

 spoon.' 



Mention must be made of the golden orfe and the 

 golden tench which are so much admired for their 

 beautiful colouring. The former, a variety of the 

 ide found in Continental waters, is of a pale gold 

 tint upon the back, and a silvery hue upon the under 

 parts ; while the latter, known also as the golden 

 schlei, has been described as ' of a most lovely 

 yellow colour mixed with the gleam of gold.' 



The body of the tench is covered with a slime 



