THE CARP. 2§9 
hundred pounds weight ; while tliofe of the Dneifler fome- 
times arrive at the enormous length of five feet w *. 
Of all the finny tribe, the carp is moil tenacious of life: 
when placed in a net wrapped in wet mofs, and hung in 
damp cellars, it will fubfift for a fortnight f. This fact is 
fo well attefted by experiment, that a method of fatten- 
ing this fifh has been adopted, which is founded upon it. 
The net is from time to time dipped in water, and the 
fifh crammed with wheat -bread ioaked in milk; and by 
this management, it becomes in a Ihort time not only 
much fatter, but of a far fuperior flavour to thofe fed in 
the pond J. 
The fifhes of this fpecies being in fome meafure do- 
meflicated, their manners and economy have been more 
narrowly examined than moft of the other tenants ol the 
water ; and the afcertaining their fecundity has been the 
refult of thefe obfervations : The Carp is prodigioufly 
prolific ; its belly being almoft at all l'eafons diftended 
with a roe, which fometimes increafes before parturition, 
to the full file of the fifh who carries it ; and when 
weighed oppofite to it, has often been known to prepon- 
derate. Upwards of two hundred thoufand ova have 
been numbered in one roe || ; and, if we may credit Jirij- 
totle , this immenfe offspring is produced five or fix times 
every year Such is the kind attention beflowed by 
nature in preferving this ufeful clafs of animals, for the 
fupport of other portions of her innumerable family ! 
The carp, like moft other l'pecies, frequent the fhallow 
water at the feafon of fpawning ; when a dozen of males 
Vol. III. O o are 
* Jovius de pifc. Rem. 131, f Hift. Nat Pol. 14?.. 
f Derham's Fhyfo. Theol. Ed. 9. p. 7. || Phil. Tranfadt. 176^. 
§ Hift. Animal 
