ALBURKUS LUCIDUS. 



t33 



The dorsal fin is shorter than high, but about as hig-h as the pectoral is 

 long-. The ventral fins do not reach to the vent ; the base of the anal is 

 more than equal to the length of the head. The caudal is deej)!/ forked, and 

 its slightly longer lower lobe is one-fifth of the length of the fish. 



The scales are remarkably soft and delicate, and finely rayed. The outline 

 is vertically sub-ovate ; the basal border is slightly bi-lobed, according to 

 Blanchard, but this condition is only to be expected in the lateral line. The 

 free border is slightly festooned between the rays. The diameter of the scale 

 is less than that of the eye, and the scales overlap, so that one-half is exposed. 





Fig. 131. — ALKUKNVS LUflUUS (hECKEL AND KNEU) . 



The lateral line descends, so as to be roughly parallel to the ventral 

 contour. It is distinctly defined. 



The colour is steel-blue, with belly and sides of bright silver. The dorsal 

 and caudal fins are grey, but the other fins are colourless. 



The Bleak lives in rivers, lakes, and ponds. It is remarkably plentiful in 

 Lake Constance. Frank Buckland noticed its abundance at Oxford, where 

 the city sewer entered the Thames; but though common in the Thames, Lea, 

 and New River, it prefers clear water. It is a lively fish, and moves about 

 near the surface, in calm, warm weather, catching insects, and hence falls an 

 easy prey to the young fly-fisher. It rarely descends into deep water, is rather in- 

 quisitive than shy, and sufficiently greedy to pounce upon anything thrown 

 into the water, but discriminating enough to reject unsatisfactory food. 



The Bleak spawn in May and June, depositing the spawn either on reeds 

 or stony bottoms. The fish assemble in large shoals, move rapidly, as 

 though to escape enemies, but often skim the surface of the water, when some 

 fall a prey to gulls and sea-swallows, while others are seized by Perches. The 

 spawning is intermittent, and takes place at two or three periods ; the older fish 



