Carp, or Carpio, L. is a species of the Cyprinus, a genus of fish comprising above thirty species. Carp are also called white-fish, on account of their glittering scales, and are distinguished from other fish, by having no teeth, the want of which is supplied by several small rough bones fixed in their throat. They were introduced into England during the 16th century.

These fish are much celebrated for their longevity, many of them attaining an age of from 60 to 100 years, and growing to the extraordinary length of six feet. They delight in muddy ponds, which are well sheltered from the wind, and into which should be thrown the liquor fromcattle-yards, mixed with clay, peas, beans, oil-cake, etc. In order to fatten them, and increase their size, the growth of grass under the water should be particularly attended to ; as they principally feed on it during the summer months. To effect this, when the water decreases in summer, the dry; naked sides of the pond should be raked, and grass-seeds abundantly sown : these will produce a plentiful supply of herbage, which, when the pond is filled up by rains, affords a feeding place, where the fish will speedily fatten. In the winter, they crowd together in the mire under the ice, which should be occasionally opened to admit air, for want of which the carp is often severely affected.— But where it is practicable, part of the water should be drawn off, which will be more beneficial to the fish, than to penetrate the ice. This should also be done, when the pond has been struck by lightning, or when the fish are sick, which sometimes happens, if the water become foul or turbid.

Carp are much celebrated for their docility, and have been known to be so tame, as to swim to the shore, and take their food, on being called, or summoned by the sound of a bell. In general, however, they are extremely cunning, and difficult to be caught, except during the time of spawning.— The best season for catching carp and barbel, is the month of July, and the most proper time, at day-break. Care must be taken to use neither lead nor shot in the lines ; which ought to be proportionate to the length of the rods, and made of Indian twist, or strong pearl-coloured silk, armed at the bottom links with sea - grass, Turkey-grass, or strong silk-worm gut, perfectly free from knots or frett-ings.

When the spot for angling is fixed upon, it is requisite, on the preceding night, to throw in a considerable quantity of paste, prepared of bread and bran, or mixed with lob-worms cut to pieces. This purpose may also be effected by throwing in a mixture of blood and grains, which must be repeated three successive nights; the spot being marked with particular at-tention. In the dawn of the morning, after the depth has been plumbed with the greatest exact-ness, the bait for the first rod, which is to lie at the bottom, should be a well-scoured lob-worm, and the hook must be passed through its body, about three inches from the tail ; that part being more agreeable to the fish than the head. An additional ground-bait should be thrown in, at the same place, on the three preceding nights. The worm being dropped as exactly as possible on the ground-bait just thrown in, the first rod is to be laid on the ground, and the second baited. The bait for this rod must be four red worms, properly cleans-ed and pierced through the head. The third rod ought to be baited with a paste prepared of the following materials: the crumb of white bread one day old, soaked in warm milk, till it has imbibed enough to make it of the necessary consist-ence ; when the milk is to be pressed out, and a sufficient quantity of honey added, to impart to it a sweet flavour. A little saffron, well dried and powdered, must also be mixed, together with a few drops of oil of rhodium, in order to tinge it of an orange colour. It is then fit for immediate use ; but care must be taken, that the floats for each rod be of the short single-plugged kind, and that the fish "be played deep ;" as, if this caution be neglected, the fish will "break, " and make its escape.

Carp are much esteemed for their delicacy and flavour, which may be greatly improved by keeping them in river water for a few days, before they are eaten. Their gall is in much repute among the Turks, for staining paper, and also for making a fine sap-green colour.

Formerly, it was erroneously believed that the frequent eating of this fish proved a certain remedy for dimness of sight; and, with that view, many persons used it as their daily food; though without consulting their health. Of all animal substances, carp is doubtless the most liable to putrescency ; and as its fat is indigestible, it ought particularly to be avoided by febrile patients, invalids, and convalescents.

Carp is the most valuable of the finny tribe, for stocking ponds, on account of its speedy growth, and uncommonly rapid increase : the sale of these fish is a source of considerable profit to landed proprietors on the Continent; and, if the rearing of them were better understood and practised in the marshy parts of this country, they would amply repay every expence and trouble, thus bestowed. The most proper situations for carp-ponds, are those surrounded by rich pastures, or corn-fields, having soft springs on the spot, or being at least in the vicinity of pure running water: they should be exposed to the sun, and sheltered from the eastern and northerly winds.

Those persons who propose to breed carp-on a large scale, ought, in the opinion of the Hon. RogeR North, to be provided with three reservoirs, namely: 1. A Spawning pond, which should be cleared of all rapacious fish, and other animals ; 2. A nursery, intended for the reception of the young carp, which should be removed from the spawning pond, in the mouth of March or April; and, 3. The main-pond, which is designed for such fish as exceed 12 inches in length.

The best carp for breeding, are those from 5 to 7 years old, with long bodies, fine full eyes and scales, without any blemish . or wound : three or four such male fish, with six or eight females, will be sufficient to stock a pond one acre in extent; they should be conveyed thither on a fine calm day, toward the end of March, or early in April. One thousand, or twelve hundred, young fish may conveniently inhabit a nursery of a similar capacity; but, when they are first put in, it will be necessary to watch and drive them away from the sides, lest they become, the prey of rapacious birds. The most favourable seasons for stocking main-ponds, are the spring and autumn ; when a space, of 15 square feet (perhaps four cubic feet), will be sufficient for each carp; the growth of the fish depends on the room, and quantity of food allowed them.

The winter seasons sometimes prove so severe, that the water freezes as often as the ice is broken for the admission of air ; in consequence of which the carp frequently perish. In such case, the fish may be preserved in a cellar, by the following expedient: Let each be enveloped in wet moss laid on a piece of net, and then be secured in a purse, so as to admit the air. The net must be immersed in water, at first every third or fourth hour, and suspended to the ceiling ; though afterwards, such dipping may be performed once in six or seven hours. Their food ought to consist of bread, soaked in milk, which should be given in small quantities, and gradually increased, as the animal becomes accustomed to this mode of living. By such treatment, many fish have been preserved alive for a considerable time, and have even grown fat, so as to become more fit for the table.