ROACH. t(H 



British Zoology is that of a Rudd or Red-eye, and not that 

 of a Roach, as stated ; which the position of the dorsal fin, 

 and comparison with the figure of the Rudd, plate 83, page 

 479, will sufficiently testify. 



Roach are gregarious, swimming constantly in large shoals, 

 and feeding on worms and herbs. Pennant refers to a Roach 

 of five pounds' 1 weight. Mr. Jesse says the largest he has 

 known to be caught in the Thames weighed three pounds : 

 and Walton considered a Roach of two pounds worthy of 

 particular mention. Mr. Jesse says of the Roach detained in 

 his vivarium, that he has seen a Carp swim among a shoal of 

 them without producing the least disturbance ; but if a Pike 

 went near them, they made off rapidly in all directions. 

 The Roach spawns at the end of May or the beginning of 

 June, and the scales are then rough to the touch. It is in 

 little estimation generally for table, but is best as food, as 

 well as finest in colour, in October, a state produced, pro- 

 bably, by the variety as well as quantity of nutriment ob- 

 tained during a long summer ; it is in this month that it is 

 most sought after by the Thames anglers. 



" As sound as a Roach," is a proverb that does not carry 

 with it the degree of conviction that usually attaches to a 

 popular apophthegm. It must, however, be remembered, 

 that in the older iclithyological works this fish was called 

 Roche a term probably derived from the French. The 

 meaning stands confessed, if we admit the pun upon the 

 word ; and we ought then to read, " as sound as a rock." 



The French connect the same idea of haleness with the 

 Ide, a fish previously described, which is known to them by 

 the name of Gardon. The English say also, " as sound as 

 a Trout ;" and the Italians connect the idea of health with 

 fish generally, e sano como il pcsce. The Roach was first 

 described by Rondeletius. 



VOL. i. 2 D 



