108 THE MAMMALS, REPTILES, AND FISHES OF ESSEX.
lbs., but there is no water in Great Britain in which this fish
would ever be expected to grow to anything like that size. It
would thrive in many an ornamental water, in which at present
only coarse fish disport themselves; but neither from the angler's
nor from the gastronome's point of view does it offer any
particular inducement to introduce it. Living on such fish as are
habitually feeding on the ground, it takes the bait only when
sunk to the bottom, and at night-time, rather than during the
day.
Young Wels frequently appear on the table where the fish is
common ; and, in the fish-market at Berlin, even larger specimens of
40 lbs. or 50 lbs. used to find a ready sale.
As I have not heard that the presence of Mr. Nocton's Silurus in
the Stour has caused any great decrease in the population of that
river, I am still of opinion that the introduction of this interesting
species can be safely recommended to those who prefer the
occasional excitement of an unusual capture to the monotonous
landing of half-pound Roach ; and I am very glad to find from
this fortunate event that at least the practicability of acclimatising
Silurus in Great Britain has been proved.
A. Gunther."
Family CYPRINIDAE, Day.
Genus Cyprinus, Artedi.
Cyprinus carpio, Linn. Carp.
This is found in many of the sluggish streams. It also
occurs in numerous ponds throughout Essex. I have seen an
example, weighing 111/2 lbs., which was taken in the Colne,
at Earls Colne, on June 18th, 1889, ,and another weighing
about 6 lbs., taken August 8th, 1890, in the flood-gate hole at
East Mill, Colchester.
Genus Carassius, Nilss.
Carassius vulgaris, Nord. Crucian or Prussian Carp.
This fish has been introduced into many of our ponds, but
I do not know of its occurrence in any of our streams, except
the Lea, where one was caught by Mr. Williams, near
Tottenham (Land and Water, November 12th, 1887, p. 412).