proceed to give you some Observations concerning the _Carp_. CHAP. VIII. _Pisc_. The _Carp_ is a stately, a good, and a subtle fish, a fish that hath not (as it is said) been long in _England_, but said to be by one Mr. _Mascall_ (a Gentleman then living at _Plumsted_ in _Sussex_) brought into this Nation: and for the better confirmation of this, you are to remember I told you that _Gesner_ sayes, there is not a _Pike_ in _Spain_, and that except the _Eele_, which lives longest out of the water, there is none that will endure more hardness, or live longer then a _Carp_ will out of it, and so the report of his being brought out of a forrain Nation into this, is the more probable. _Carps_ and _Loches_ are observed to breed several months in one year, which most other fish do not, and it is the rather believed, because you shall scarce or never take a Male _Carp_ without a _Melt_, or a _Female_ without a _Roe_ or _Spawn_; and for the most part very much, and especially all the Summer season; and it is observed, that they breed more naturally in Ponds then in running waters, and that those that live in Rivers are taken by men of the best palates to be much the better meat. And it is observed, that in some Ponds _Carps_ will not breed, especially in cold Ponds; but where they will breed, they breed innumerably, if there be no _Pikes_ nor _Pearch_ to devour their Spawn, when it is cast upon grass, or flags, or weeds, where it lies ten or twelve dayes before it be enlivened. The _Carp_, if he have water room and good feed, will grow to a very great bigness and length: I have heard, to above a yard long; though I never saw one above thirty three inches, which was a very great and goodly fish.