TI^^CA. 



CcTiER forms a separate genus for the Tench, the character of which 

 is, that in addition to other particulars of the genus Cyprimis the 

 dorsal and anal fins are short, without lirm spines to the fins; a single 

 pair of small burbs ut the angles of the mouthj scales on the body 

 very small. 



TENCH. 



Tinea, JONSTON; pi. 29, fig. 7. 



" WiLLOUGHBY; p. 251, Table Q. 5. 



Cyp7-invs Tinea, Linn^us. Bloch; pi. 14. Donovan; pi. 113. 



" " Jenyns; Manual, p. 405. 



Tinea vulgaris, Fleming; Br. Animals, p. 186. 



" " Yakrell; Br. Fishes, vol. i, p. 375. 



There can be little doubt that the Tench was known to 

 the ancients, since Willoughby informs us that it is occasionally 

 found in the Tiber ; and that it bore the name of Tinea, which 

 is the origin of the English designation, appears from Ausonius, 

 who is the only writer of his country that is known to mention 

 it, at least with any particular reference to its nature or habits. 

 And the reason of this omission appears to be that it was not 

 in esteem with them for the table; which was the principal 

 criterion by which the people of that day were accustomed to 

 measure the value of any object that could be eaten. But 

 we are referred to the writings of Cicero, from which we learn 

 that in consequence of some ajipearance or property in this 

 fish he chose to apply its name to an orator who was known 

 for some amusing peculiarity that could find some analogy 

 in the Tinea or Tench. In addition to this it may also be 

 suspected that the species termed the Black Cyprinus by ^lian, 

 an inhabitant of the Danube, and which has been referred 

 to A\hcn we spake of the Carp, may rather be the Tench, as 



