216 
NATURAL niSTORY 
GOLD FISH. 
This beautiful and brilliant species of fish 
were, it is said, first imported from China 
into Europe, about the year 1600. It is 
generally from about six to eight inches in 
length. In shape, it nearly resembles the 
silver fish, except the long fins. It is all of 
a gold colour, except a few black streaks; it 
lias a large mouth, but no teeth, and its flesh 
is considered to be good. They are much 
valued in this country, as well as in China, 
by people of fashion. On account of their 
beauty, and for the purpose of ornament, 
they are frequently kept in earthenware or 
glass vessels. When young they are black; 
they afterwards change to white, and then 
to the colour of gold. 
