146 BRITISH SPORTING FISH. 



The following are the principal measurements, 



&c., of a Thames Bleak, which formed the subject 



of the illustration : — 



The whole length of the fish, head, body and tail-fin, being 

 considered as 6, the length of the head alone is about as i ; 

 head small and delicate, and having the under jaw projecting. 

 Depth of body at shoulder somewhat greater than length of 

 head. Back-fin commencing nearly half-way between point of 

 nose and extremity of tail-fin, and much further hack than the 

 ventral fins (in the Dace the back-fin commences just over the 

 ventrals). Scales rather small and very easily detached; 52 in 

 lateral line. Sides compressed or flattened ; back very little 

 convex ; belly more convex. Colour : back, back-fin, and tail- 

 fin, bluish-green, — [in some waters darker, and in others almost 

 pea-green] — pectoral, and anal fins a lighter tint of the same ; 

 ventral-fins white ; sides and belly shining silvery white, with a 

 slight tint of green when held in particular lights. Eye golden 

 yellow with a green tinge. 



