THE CARP. 
> 9 ® 
are feen purfuing one female as llie emits her ova ; and 
upon thefe they ejeS their fmelts : by which opera- 
tion naturaiifts l'uppofe that impregnation is effected. In 
this uncertain procefs, however, many of her ova mull 
he diflipated in the water, without coming into contaft 
tvith the /perm of the male ; and hence that fertility is 
abridged, which would otherwife foon overftock the whole 
waters upon the globe. 
Among all domiflicated animals, the purity of their 
manners is vitiated ; and mixed races are produced by an 
unnafural connection between different fpecies : This is 
examplifyed by the horfe and the afs, by the different 
fpecies of dogs, and by many of our domeftic poultry ; 
the carp and tench, in their confinement in ponds, are 
alfo faid to mingle their fpawn, and to tranfmit an ambi- 
guous race to poflerity : In fimilar circumftances, the 
carp and bream, are reported to “ overltep the modefly 
of Nature,” and to violate thofe laws which the has fo 
generally eflablilhed between kindred tribes. 
The flelh of this fpecies is rather infipid and foft, but 
varies greatly, according to the place where the filh is 
reared, and the nourilhment with which it is fed : Thofe 
in fiagnated water are fcldom found fo well flavoured, as 
they that are taken from a pure and rapid Itream. Of 
the roe of this fiflr a caviare is made for the J'ews, who 
abominate this, and every kind of tire llurgeon. 
The carp is extremely fhy in taking a bait, and, for 
this reafon, the more common method of taking it in 
rivers is with the net. Its cunning is difplayed by the 
various methods it praftifes to elude this inftrument of 
deftru&ion : Sometimes it leaps over the net ; at others, 
immerfes itfelf fo deeply in the mud, that it is drawn 
, oveir 
