40 



WHITE BREAM. 



BREAMFLAT. 



Cyprinus Lotus, Tukton's Linnaeus. 



" Blicca, Bloch; pi. 10. 



Abramis Bli'cca, Cuviee. 



Cyprinus Blicca, Jenyns; Manual, p. 407. 



Yakrell; Br. Fislies, vol. i, p. 387. 



It was long doubted wlietlier wliat was supposed to be a 

 second sjoecies of Bream in our lakes was truly distinct; and 

 after a close examination of wbat was alleged to be sucli on 

 tlie continent of Europe, it remained the opinion of the learned 

 naturalist Gesner, tliat only one species could be recognised. 

 And the opinion tlius expressed was not without some plausible 

 grounds, so far as regarded the fishes we have called the Lake 

 and White Breams; since whatever may be the assigned marks 

 of distinction at the fullest stage of growth, when the Lake 

 Bream is of a bright yellow colour, and it is of much larger 

 size than the White Bream is ever known to attain; yet at an 

 earlier stage, when the Lake Bream is only half grown, the 

 colour of both these fishes is so much alike, and the other 

 diiferences between them require such close examination that 

 we need not feel surprised if the real points of distinction are 

 not always detected. Yet that they were believed to be distinct 

 fishes in very early times apj^ears from the Book of St. Albans, 

 where Bremettis arc mentioned sej^arately, as to be fished for 

 with some difference of baits; and that they are distinct fishes 

 is now generally admitted; but although whatever difference 

 may exist in their habits is not well known, in this respect 

 also some distinction must exist since there are places where 

 the AVliite Bream is common, and the Lake Bream is not met 

 with. Mr. Jenyns points to some districts of the River Cam 



