110 THE AiVGLEE-NATUEALIST. 



covered with little shells, perfectly transparent, and swim- 

 ming nimbly about. A hundred and twenty of these, side 

 by side in a row, would not, it is asserted, exceed one inch 

 in length. Besides these young Oysters, the liquor con- 

 tains a great variety of animalcula, five hundred times less 

 in size, which emit a phosphorescent hght. The census, 

 however, does not end even here ; for there are still to be 

 added to the list of inhabitants three distinct species of 

 worm, called the oyster-worm, which under a powerful 

 microscope shine in the dark like glow-worms. 



The Carp spawns towards the end of May or the be- 

 ginning of June, according to the temperature of the 

 water and the season ; and it is supposed to continue 

 spawning occasionally for four or five months, and always 

 for a longer period than most other fish. The ova are de- 

 posited upon weeds, amongst which the female is followed 

 by two or three males, thus securing the impregnation of 

 a large proportion of the eggs. The fish is in season for 

 the table from October to April. 



M. Valenciennes characterizes the woodcut at the be- 

 ginning of this chapter as the best engraving of the Carp 

 that he had seen. 



Cliaraderistics of the common Carp. — Body covered with large scales, 

 in about twelve rows between ventrals and back-fin ; a single very 

 long back-fin. Lips fleshy. Mouth small, and without teeth. Throat- 

 teeth in three rows on each side, the inner row composed of three with 

 broad flat crowns which are furrowed, somewhat resembling those of 

 ruminating animals. Two barbels or beards at each comer of the mouth. 

 First back-fin ray short and bony ; the second also bony, notched on 



