56 



BLEAK. 



Bieali, 



Cyprinus alhurnus, 



a it 



Leuciscus alharnus, 



WiLLOUGHBY; p. 263. 



LiNN^us. Block ; pi. 8. 

 Donovan; pi. 18. Jenyns; Manual, p. 414.. 

 CuviEK. Fleming; Br. Animals, -p. 188. 

 Yakrell ; Br. Fishes, vol. i, p. 419. 



The Bleak is a little lively and sportive fish, and is found 

 in a large proportion of the rivers of the midland counties of 

 England, in company with some others of the smaller species 

 of this family, although it swims generally at a higher elevation 

 in the water than they. But although perhaps as widely 

 distributed as any of them, it is not a native of Ireland, and 

 doubt exists as regards Scotland also. Sibbald is quoted by 

 Fleming as assigning it to that portion of the United Kingdom, 

 but it appears that the last named Scottish naturalist had not 

 for himself a knowledge of the fact. It is not known in 

 Cornwall or Devonshire; but is common on the Continent of 

 Europe, and Nilsson says they abound in Sweden, as they do 

 indeed in every situation in which they exist. We may 

 conclude, therefore, that this fish is exceedingly prolific, as 

 they are also social in a high degree; for they commonly keep 

 in considerable schools, as they play at the surface or seek for 

 food; and as they eagerly seize such insects and worms as 

 come in their way, they offer easy sport to young anglers. 

 The j)oet Ausonius notices this when he represents his Alburnos 

 as affording "prsedam puerilibus hamis," a prize to the hooks 

 of little boys. 



They shed their spawn early in June, in shallow water; and 

 Nilsson observes that the oldest and largest are the first to 

 perform this function. At this time, he says, the water seems 

 alive with them; and the young ones are of quick growth from 

 the eg^. Contrary to what is known of several of the larger 



