270 PIKE AND OTHER COARSE FISH. 



in eluding the fatal sweep of the seine net has been described 

 by Vaniere, in his ' Predium RustLum,' thus translated : — 



Of all the fish that swim the watery mead, 

 Not one in cunning can the carp exceed. 

 Sometimes, when nets enclose the stream, she flies 

 To hollow rocks, and there in secret lies ; 

 Sometimes the surface of the water skims. 

 And springing o'er the net undaunted swims ; 

 Now motionless she lies beneath the flood, 

 Holds by a weed, or deep into the mud 

 Plunges her head, for fear against her will 

 The nets should drag her and elude her skill ; 

 Nay, not content with this, she oft will dive 

 Beneath the net, and not alone contrive 

 Means for her own escape ; but pity take 

 On all her hapless brethren of the lake ; 

 For rising, with her back she lifts the snares, 

 And frees the captive with officious cares ; 

 The little fry in safety swim away. 

 And disappoint the nets of their expected prey. 



The fact of the carp dodging the net has been so repeatedly 

 borne testimony to, that, although not by any means inclined to 

 be 3.gobe-mouche with regard to fish anecdotes and superstitions, 

 I think it may be fairly accepted as substantially true. Indeed, 

 the carp ought to be the cleverest as they possess the largest 

 brain in proportion of any fresh-water fish, and the bones of 

 the head are remarkable for their exquisite polish and symmetry. 

 Fiction, if not fact, has, however, failed to credit the carp with * 

 the uncircumventible sagacity which is the theme of so many 

 angling writers. In a curious old book, ' Dialogus Creaturam 

 Moralizatus,' published in 1480, it is recorded that at a red 

 fish festival the carp and the grayhng quarrelled on a point 

 of precedence. 



'I bask in the favour of the great and powerful,' said the 

 carp, ' even man condescends to take care of me, and make 

 ponds for my special use and protection.' 'But,' retorted the 

 grayling, 'look at my elegant form and glittering scales, I 



