RED-EYE. 



415 



that breeds in ponds, with a very forked tail, and of a very 

 small size ; which some say is bred by the Bream and right 

 Roach ; and some ponds are stored with these beyond belief ; 

 and knowing men that know their difference call them Ruds : 

 they differ from the true Roach as much as a Herring 

 from a Pilchard. And these bastard breed of Roach are now 

 scattered in many rivers ; but I think not in the Thames." 

 Under the account of the Bream, he adds u Some say that 

 Bream and Roaches will mix their eggs and melt together ; 

 and so there is in many places a bastard breed of Breams, 

 that never come to be either large or good, but very nu- 

 merous." 



It is probable that the fishes here alluded to were the true 

 Rudd, and the second species of Bream, which have been 

 already described ; and an opinion apparently prevailed, not- 

 withstanding the numbers in which they existed, that they 

 were hybrids. The instances in which animals in a truly 

 unlimited natural state make selections beyond their own 

 species are probably very rare. Hybrids and permanent 

 varieties are generally the consequence of restriction and do- 

 mestication, and I confess my doubts of the existence of 

 hybrid fishes. 



