136 THE SPORTING FISH 



colour the general appearance of the Rudd is 

 golden, and that of the Roach silvery. 



The most obvious mark, however, and that by 

 which the Rudd can be both easily and certainly 

 distinguished from the Roach, is the relative posi- 

 tion of the back fin — above described — as this 

 never varies and can be seen at a glance ; indeed, 

 so marked is it that upon this structural difference 

 ichthyologists have placed the two fish in different 

 sections of the same genus. 



Although the external fonn of the Rudd is 

 perhaps almost as much like that of the Bream 

 as of the Roach, there is, in consequence of its 

 scarlet fins and generally " Roach-like " appear- 

 ance, no other fish with which it can well be 

 confused, even by the least initiated, and it is, 

 therefore, unnecessary to enter into a comparison 

 of its characteristics with those of any other 

 species. 



The full measurements and colouring of the two 

 fish are as follows : — 



The Rudd. — Length of head not quite |th of total length 

 (including head, body, and tail-fin to the extremity), — shape of 

 head " chubby." Depth of body at broadest part not quite 

 equal to twice the length of the head. Dorsal-fin commencing 

 a good deal further back than the ventrals (about as much 

 further back as ^ths of the length of the head). Base of 

 dorsal-fin, midway between point of nose and e.xtremity of tail- 

 fin. Scales large, number in Literal line about 42. Number 

 of scales in oblique line at widest part of body, 12. Teeth 

 pharyngeal. Colours : back and head olive green, then 

 bronze, merging into silvery golden on the sides, and beconiing 



