[Sca-cooks] Medieval thinking

[JIMCHEVAL at aol.com]

I'm not sure the effect of carp on native species in France was negligible. 
 Richard C. Hoffman writes, particularly in regard to that fish: 
"Aquaculture  revolutionized local ecologies and human relations with them, forming 
and  controlling synthetic habitats for the sake of a non-native animal and to 
the  harm of some native varieties." 
 
Richard C. Hoffman, "Carp, Cods, Connections" in Animals in Human  
Histories: The Mirror of Nature and Culture, edited by Mary J. Henninger-Voss,  2002
 
I don't know the details but Hoffman seems to feel it had a significant  
effect. And in fact leaves the impression that carp was the first willfully  
introduced invasive species (in France; it already existed further East).
 
Jim  Chevallier
 (http://www.chezjim.com/) www.chezjim.com

Les Leftovers: sort of a food history  blog
leslefts.blogspot.com  

 
In a message dated 11/29/2013 6:21:16 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,  
t.d.decker at att.net writes:

Invasive  species is not a Medieval or Renaissance concept.  Plant 
transfers 
of  the period were either edible or ornamental and often were botanical  
specimens.  Accidental transfers might have occurred, but the impact  
appears 
to have been  negligible.