186 



COMMON CARP. 



deep holes for their retreat in their new habitation. 

 Carp spawn in May, June, or July, according as 

 the warm season sets in earlier or later. At this 

 season they swim to shallow, warm, and sheltered 

 places, where the female deposits the spawn where 

 the bottom is somewhat gritty about the roots of 

 grass, osier-roots, hanging branches, &c. The 

 milter or male fish, by a natural instinct, follows 

 the spawner, and the milt or soft roe is spread 

 over the spawn, which thus becomes impregnated. 

 Carp at this season are frequently seen swimming, 

 as it were in a circle, about the same spot. The 

 finest and calmest summer days are commonly 

 those on which carp spawn ^ providence having 

 thus made a provision for the greater security of 

 the fry of so "useful a fish ; as otherwise in a stormy 

 day the spawai would be washed towards the banks, 

 where it would be eaten up by birds, or trampled 

 on by men and quadrupeds, or dried up by the 

 heat of the sun, and a whole generation of carp 

 entirely destroyed. During the spawningrseason 

 the carp may be approached, with some degree of 

 address, so that they will pass and repass between 

 a person*s hands held under the water, without 

 being in the least disturbed ; but if any noise, or 

 quick motion be made, they dart away with sur- 

 prising velocity. Great care must be taken, during 

 the spawning season, to prevent the approach of 

 all aquatic fowl, wild and tame, to the ponds ; for 

 geese and ducks not only swallow the spawn, but de- 

 stroy still more of it by searching among the weeds 

 iand aquatic plants: it is therefore a general rule, to 

 send twice a day, a man round the pound, tp scare 



