VENDACE 



(Coregonus vandesius] 



THIS fish is only found in Loch Maben, Dumfriesshire, and is said 

 to be so delicate that it dies as soon as taken from the water, and 

 cannot be transferred to any other loch. No angler has yet been 

 able to catch one with a hook, and they are usually caught with a 

 sweep-net. The flesh of the vendace is considered a great delicacy, 

 so great that many years ago a number of gentlemen arranged to 

 meet and " feast " on what were caught. It is not known whether all 

 the vendace in the loch were eaten up or not, but no such " feast " has 

 again been held. These fish are now so very scarce that it was with 

 difficulty I obtained the specimen illustrated on page 278. This 

 specimen is now in the British Museum. It measured 7^- inches in 

 length, which is much above the average size. The colour of the 

 back is light green, while the sides are silvery white. The tail is well 

 forked, and the dorsal, pectoral, and anal fins are long and pointed, 

 thus giving the fish greater power in swimming through the water. 

 Perhaps the reason for their not taking a bait is that they only feed 

 on minute Crustacea or daphnise, which are inhaled along with the 

 water while breathing. 



277 



