THE COMMON CAEF. 105 



at the bottom of these in a reversed position, and so perforated 

 with holes as to aflford shelter to the fish from the heat and 

 glare of the sun. Green stuff of some kind is also thrown upon 

 the water to keep it cool, and it (the water) must be partially 

 changed every two days, and the fish, as a general rule, must 

 never be touched by the hand. Great quantities of gold-fish 

 are often bred in ponds adjacent to factories, where the waste 

 steam being let in the water is kept at a warmish temperature. 

 At the manufacturing town of Dundee they became at one time 

 a complete nuisance in some of the factories, having penetrated 

 into the steam and water pipes, occasionally bringing the 

 works to a complete standstill. In England the golden carp 

 usually spawns between May and July, the particular time 

 being greatly regulated by the warmth of the season. The 

 time of spawning may be known by the change of habit which 

 occurs in this fish. It sinks at once into deep water instead of 

 basking on the top, as usual ; previous to which the fish are 

 restive and quick in their movements, throwing themselves out 

 of the water, etc. It may be stated here, to prevent disappoint- 

 ment, that golden carp seldom spawn in a transparent vessel. 

 A Mr. Mitchell of Edinburgh, however, brought out a hatching 

 in his shop aquarium, in the Lothian Road, but the fry escaped 

 by the waste pipe. When the spawn is hatched the fish are 

 very black in colour, some darker than others : these become 

 of a golden hue, while those of a lighter shade become silver- 

 coloured. It is some time before this change occurs, a portion 

 colouring at the end of one year, and others not till two or 

 three seasons have come and gone. These beautiful prisoners 

 seldom live long in their crystal cells, although the prison is 

 beautiful enough, one would fancy : — 



" I ask, wliat warrant fixed them (like a spell 

 Of witchcraft fixed them) in the crystal cell i 

 To wheel with languid motion round and round, 

 Beautiful, yet in mournful durance bound ! " 



Gold-fish ought not to be purchased except from some very re- 

 spectable dealer. I have known repeated cases where the 

 whole of the fish bought have died within an hour or two of 

 being taken home. These golden carp, which are reared for 

 sale, are usually spawned and bred in warmish water, and they 

 ought in consequence to be acclimatised or " tempered " by the 

 dealer before they are parted with. Parties buying ought to be 



