154 MALACOP. ABDOM. SALMON FAMILY. 



they are a favourite food ; but their quantity seems 

 in no degree to be diminished, notwithstanding that 

 immense numbers must be destroyed. They are 

 considered a great dehcacy, resembhng the Smelt a 

 good deal in flavour ; and, though certainly very 

 palatable, the relish may be somewhat heightened 

 by the difficulty of always procuring a supply. 

 During the summer, fishing parties are frequent, 

 introducing some stranger friend to this Lochmaben 

 Whitebait ; and a club, consisting of between twenty 

 and thirty of the neighbouring gentry, possessing a 

 private net, &c. meet annually in July, to enjoy the 

 sport of fishing, and feasting upon this luxury." 



The reason of no bait being found attractive to 

 them, probably arises from the fact that their food 

 seems to consist almost entirely of the branchiopod 

 entomostraca of the genus Cyclops ; also of the 

 genus Lynceus. TTiey seem likewise to take insects 

 occasionally, as the remains of these animals have 

 been found in their intestines. 



Sibbald, in his Scotia Illustrata, names this fish 

 Vandesius or Gerandesius, and Pennant Vangis or 

 Jurangis. The latter adds that it seems likely the 

 name was derived from the French, Vendoise, a dace, 

 to which a superficial observer might be tempted 

 to compare it from the whiteness of its scales. 

 There can be no doubt that it was introduced from 

 the Continent. 



(Sp. 136.) C. Lacepedei. The Powan. The 

 distinguished French Naturalist, after whom this 

 fish is named, gives a short description in his Hist. 



