THE BOOK OF THE ROYAL 



from all parts of the lake to tlie object of attraction. Then, 

 conscious, apparently, of their inability to crush the extremely 

 hard balls, the carp combine with wonderful unanimity to guide 

 the bread to that part of the lake bounded by the wall, and 

 when there commence to butt at it, until, by repeated blows 

 and the softening effect of the water, the ball is made to yield 

 and open. Then is to be seen another curious sight. While 

 shoals of carp have been pounding away at the bread-ball, pre- 

 paring it for eating, some dozen monsters hover about, apparently 

 indifferent to what is passing near them. But no sooner is the 

 bread ready for swallowing, than one among these giants, pro- 

 bably the tyrant of the lake, rushing to the prize, cleaving his 

 way through the swarm of smaller carp, and shouldering them 

 to the right and left, seizes the bread with open jaws, between 

 which it quickly disappears.* 



Parallel to the Milanese Arcades, on each side of the Garden, 

 arc two oblong canals at a lower level than the surroundina: 

 ground. Their continuity is interrupted by a platform higher 

 than their level, but a little lower than that of these arcades, and 

 a small basin on the platform on each side supplies a cascade, 

 which (on the same plan as that of the large cascade) flows out of 

 a semicircular arch. A flat slab rests on the stonework over 



* By-and-by similar scenes may be seen in the basin in tlie Horticultural Garden. 

 The fish, during the summer of 1862, had become sufficiently familiar to appear 

 regularly at the dinner hour at the spot where their food is distributed. During 

 the following winter they disappeared, doubtless into the darkest and warmest of 

 the culvei-ts ; but with the warm days of spring they have again appeared, leaping 

 and throwing themselves out of the water. 



" Nor undeliglited by the boundless Spring 

 Are the broad monsters of the foaming deep ; 

 From the deep ooze and gelid cavern roused, 

 They flounce and tumble in unwieldy joy." — Thomson. 



166 



