TENCH. 377 



have shown that a Tench is able to breathe when the quan- 

 tity of oxygen is reduced to the five-thousandth part of the 

 bulk of the water : ordinary river-water generally containing 

 one per cent, of oxygen. The fact, however, as observed by 

 Dr. Rogct, shows the admirable perfection of the organs of 

 this fish, which can extract so minute a quantity of air from 

 water, to which that air adheres with great tenacity. This 

 power is strongly illustrated in the instance about to be 

 quoted, which is selected on account of its reference to other 

 points in the history of the Tench. 



" A piece of water which had been ordered to be filled up, 

 and into which wood and rubbish had been thrown for years, 

 was directed to be cleared out. Persons were accordingly 

 employed ; and almost choked up by weeds and mud, so 

 little water remained, that no person expected to sec any 

 fish, except a few Eels, yet nearly two hundred brace of 

 Tench of all sizes, and as many Perch, were found. After 

 the pond was thought to be quite free, under some roots 

 there seemed to be an animal which was conjectured to be 

 an otter ; the place was surrounded, and on opening an en- 

 trance among the roots, a Tench was found of most singular 

 form, having literally assumed the shape of the hole, in 

 which he had of course for many years been confined. His 

 length, from eye to fork, was thirty-three inches ; his cir- 

 cumference, almost to the tail, was twenty-seven inches ; his 

 weight eleven pounds nine ounces and a quarter ; the colour 

 was also singular, his belly being that of a char, or vermilion. 

 This extraordinary fish, after having been inspected by many 

 gentlemen, was carefully put into a pond, and at the time the 

 account was written, twelve months afterwards, was alive and 

 well."* 



" Tench are said to love foul and weedy, more than clear, 

 water ; but situation does not always influence their taste. 



* Daniel's Rural Sports. 



