I told you, that Sir _Francis Bacon_ thinks that the _Carp_ lives but ten years; but _Janus Dubravius_ (a _Germane_ as I think) has writ a book in Latine of Fish and Fish Ponds, in which he sayes, that _Carps_ begin to Spawn at the age of three yeers, and continue to do so till thirty; he sayes also, that in the time of their breeding, which is in Summer when the Sun hath warmed both the earth and water, and so apted them also for generation, that then three or four Male _Carps_ will follow a Female, and that then she putting on a seeming coyness, they force her through weeds and flags, where she lets fall her eggs or Spawn, which sticks fast to the weeds, and then they let fall their Melt upon it, and so it becomes in a short time to be a living fish; and, as I told you, it is thought the _Carp_ does this several months in the yeer, and most believe that most fish breed after this manner, except the _Eele_: and it is thought that all _Carps_ are not bred by generation, but that some breed otherwayes, as some _Pikes_ do. * * * * * Much more might be said out of him, and out of _Aristotle_, which Dubravius often quotes in his Discourse, but it might rather perplex then satisfie you, and therefore I shall rather chuse to direct you how to catch, then spend more time discoursing either of the nature or the breeding of this _Carp_, or of any more circumstances concerning him, but yet I shall remember you of what I told you before, that he is a very subtle fish and hard to be caught. [Illustration of a Carp] And my first directon is, that if you will fish for a _Carp_, you must put on a very large measure of patience, especially to fish for a River _Carp_: I have knowne a very good Fisher angle diligently four or six hours in a day, for three or four dayes together for a River _Carp_, and not have a bite: and you are to note, that in some Ponds it is as hard to catch a _Carp_ as in a River; that is to say, where they have store of feed, & the water is of a clayish colour; but you are to remember, that I have told you there is no rule without an exception, and therefore being possest with that hope and patience which I wish to all Fishers, especially to the _Carp-Angler_, I shall tell you with what bait to fish for him; but that must be either early or late, and let me tell you, that in hot weather (for he will seldome bite in cold) you cannot bee too early or too late at it.