394 A DESCRIPTION OF 
THE GOLD-FISH, OR GOLDEN CARP, 
( Cyprinus auratus, ) 
Was originally brought from China, and first introduced 
into England in 1661, but is now become quite common 
in this kingdom, and will breed as freely in open water as 
the carp. It seldom exceeds the length of seven inches and 
a half, and very few attain this size. Gold-fish are here, as 
well as in China, highly valued by people of fashion. 
Nothing is more pleasing than to see them glide along and 
play in the transparent crystal of a piece of water in a 
garden or park, whilst their smooth and broad scales, re- 
flecting the versatile rays of the sun, shoot the richest 
sparks of light to the eye of the beholder. They are often 
kept within the small compass of a glass bowl, where they 
acquire a certain tameness and docility, most pleasing to 
their keepers, whom they seem to know after having been 
fed there for some time. 
The smallest fish are preferred, not only from their 
being more beautiful than the larger ones, but because a 
greater number of them can be kept. These are of a fine 
orange red colour, appearing as if sprinkled over with 
gold-dust. Some, however, are white, like silver ; and 
others, white spotted with red. 
When Gold-fish are kept in ponds, they are often taught 
to rise to the surface of the water at the sound of a bell, to 
be fed. 
