160 PHYSOSTOMI. 



to the bottom in search of food. About November, or as winter approaches, it 

 becomes more sluggish, and will even lie dormant in the mud into which it will 

 probably retire along with numerous companions, or else seek its quarters under 

 weeds, roots, or hollows. Occasionally it is found alive in muddy bottoms of 

 ponds almost destitute of water. Carp, says Hessel, during the winter are 

 huddled together in the mud in concentric circles with their heads together, the 

 posterior part of the body raised and held immovably, scarcely lifting the gills 

 for the purpose of breathing and without taking a particle of food. Though it 

 does not feed or grow during its winter sleep when in its x natural retreat, it does 

 not diminish in weight : but while kept in large tanks or winter chambers it falls 

 off in a remarkable degree. It will not thrive in overstocked ponds, while owing 

 to its muddy flavour when transferred direct from such places to the kitchen it is 

 found advisable to retain it for some weeks in a stew, through which a supply of 

 water flows. Here it will feed well and fatten. Jesse says that his were very 

 fond of boiled potatoes. It can also be kept for a long time in well-boats through 

 which water is allowed to pass, and may be thus conveyed long distances. It is 

 partial to the shoots of aquatic plants, succulent vegetables, worms, and the larvaa 

 of insects, while occasionally it will make a mouthful of a small fish. Mr. Gurney 

 (Zoologist, 1860) observed a carp devour three young minnows each about 1^ 

 inches long which were confined with it in the same tank. It will not despise 

 the refuse of kitchens, slaughter-houses, breweries, or even the excrements of 

 cattle and pigs. 



One reason given for permitting pike in carp ponds is that the latter fish are 

 apt to become languid and lazy, whereas a few pike would give them exercise, 

 inducing them to seek their natural feeding-places. But as a rule pisciculturists 

 prefer their absence. 



Pennant observes upon the following experiment having been twice made, of 

 placing a carp in a net well wrapped up in wet moss, the mouth only remaining 

 out, and then hung up in a cellar or some cool place : the fish being frequently 

 fed with bread and milk, and often plunged into water. Thus treated it has been 

 known to live above a fortnight,* and grow very fat as well as lose its muddy 

 taste. It can be sent alive very long distances packed in moist moss with a 

 mouthful of bread steeped in brandy and occasionally renewed. In the Horti- 

 cultural Gardens, South Kensington, the stock of carp was found to be too great 

 for the vegetation, so 300 averaging fully 2 lb. each and the greater part full of 

 spawn, were transmitted in wet moss to the Colne, near Haresfield, and did not 

 appear to suffer from the journey (Field, April, 1881). Three carp averaging 

 10 lb. each, were sent from Windsor Park at 7 a.m. to the Southport Aquarium, 

 arriving at 8 p.m., they were packed in damp moss in a hamper. On being placed 

 in a tank two immediately swam away, the third appeared exhausted at first, but 

 shortly recovered and did as well as the other two. 



Means of capture. — The fisherman finds this fish an adept at escaping from nets, 

 by burrowing below it, or springing over the corks, consequently to have carp 

 completely at command there should be means of letting off the water in which 

 it resides, either partially or entirely. So difficult is it to net that unless some 

 such provision is made one can well understand the Norfolk fen-men regarding it 

 with mysterious awe, how its entrances and its exits into pieces of water puzzle 

 them, and how, as Lubbock remarks, they consider it as something more than a 

 fish, and look upon it as what the Scotch term " no cannie." In angling for this 

 fish various plans have their advocates, but all agree that as a rule the carp is exceed- 

 ingly wary and difficult to capture. The best time in the day for sport appears to be 

 early in the morning or late in the evening : bright days are inauspicious as it swims 

 near the surface but does not feed, while should there be a cold wind it seems to 

 be somewhat dormant and refuses the tempting bait. Warm cloudy days, with a 

 tendency to rain, appear to be those best suited for angling for carp. A fine line 

 with a quill float should be used, having a light weight (as a shot) about a foot 

 from the hook, and good strong rod, while the depth should be plumbed so that 

 the shot finds rest on the bottom. The rod should be fixed into the bank and the 



* In Holland it has been said they are thus kept alive in cellars for months ! 



