THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. "4 
same relish and delight that one takes in making a new and valuable 
addition to his conservatory. 
The most choice and beautiful varieties are obtained from a lake 
in the province of Che-Kyang. 
The first introduction of the goldfish into Europe is variously 
dated, the years 1611, 1691 and 1728, A. D., each having claims for 
that honor; it may be said also that the variety introduced was the 
poorest and cheapest the Chinese had. 
The first seen in France, however, were those imported for the 
famous Madame de Pompadour. Soon afterwards they became quite 
common, as it was found that they throve well in the waters of South- 
ern Europe, especially in Portugal, where they sprang from a few 
small fish, said to have escaped from a vessel newly arrived from 
China. In that country they are now considered a delicacy for the 
table. It was not long until several streams in the neighborhood of 
Lisbon absolutely swarmed with them, and it is from this source that 
all Europe became stocked with them. From Europe the fish were 
brought to America, and quickly won their way into favor. For the last 
forty years, perhaps, these fish have become wild in the United States. 
Some having accidentally escaped into open waters, they soon made 
themselves at home, became thoroughly acclimated, and in conse- 
quence the goldfish has been quoted by several authors as a native 
American fish. It is true that, having been born here, they are in 
one sense native, but are zof native in the sense, origin, as having 
originated here. Living thus in a wild state, the fish has greatly 
degenerated from the original standard. Through the efforts of 
the late Admiral Dan. Ammen, U.S.N., the cultivation of the 
goldfish in the United States has received a new impulse. 
This gentleman, but a few years ago, brought from Japan a num- 
ber of specimens of the choicest varieties which have since been 
reproduced with marked success. 
