50 
we can gather the last of these must have come off 60 or 70 years 
ago, for our informant is advanced in years and it was when he was 
a lad that his grandfather shewed him the place, and spoke of the 
institution as a thing of the past. 
It is worthy of remark that though there are but few fish in the 
Irwell, they thrive well in the canal reservoir, which receives its 
supply of water from the river by means of an open channel, a couple 
of miles long. It is probable that any considerable saving of the 
waste materials of towns, which at present flow into the rivers, would 
allow the existence of a number of species of fish, which cannot now 
live in them, and motives of economy together with care for the 
public health, seem to be steadily moving public opinion in the 
direction of river purification. It must however still be a long time 
before either the Irwell or the Roach is a good trout stream. 
The numerous reservoirs that have been constructed for various 
purposes usually contain a great quantity of fish. Those provided 
for the supply of domestic wants and several others in which the 
water is scarcely less pure have Trout, and often of considerable size, 
while Perch, Tench, and Pike are common in many other reservoirs. 
Factory reservoirs in which the water is usually warm, are nearly all 
stocked with different sorts of Carp, and such situations seem to suit 
them for they breed enormously. 
AcantHorreryrGi. Spiny Fins. 
Perca fluviatilis. The Perch. Common, but seldom exceeding Soz. in weight. 
Cottus gobio. The Bullhead. May be found in several streams, but not much 
sought for. 
Gasterosteus semiarmatus. The common Stickleback, or Jack Sharp. Very 
common. 
Matacorterren. Sort Fis. 
Cyprinus carpis. Common Carp. Scarce, but to be met with in some mill reservoirs 
of large size. We have weighed one 8lbs., and have heard of others 10lbs. 
and over. 
CG. carassius. Prussian Carp. Very common in factory reservoirs, and not unfre- 
quently 2 lbs. to 3 Ibs. in weight. 
C. gibelio. Not common, but in reservoirs occasionally. 
CG. auratus. Goldfish. Very frequent in factory reservoirs, in endless variety of 
colour, deformity, and disease. 
Gobio fluviatilis. Gudgeon. Common. 
Tinca vulgaris. Tench. Common in reservoirs, and frequently met with from 
131bs. to 2lbs. weight. 
Leuciscus rutilus. Roach. Common. It has been taken 1lb. weight from a reser- 
voir, but we do not recollect weighing a heavier specimen. . 
L. vulgaris. Dace. Common; small. 
L. cephalus. Chub. Not uncommonly stored in ponds in the neighbourhood of 
Hyde. It was formerly abundant in Gatley Carrs both in the Mersey and its 
tributaries, and was commonly stored in ponds in that neighbourhood. 
L. phoxinus. Minnow. Common; the Irwell, Ogden Valley, &c. 
Cobitis barbatula. Loach. Common. 
Esox lucius. Pike. Common, and large in proportion to the amount of its food. 
One was caught last year in the Bury canal reservoir, by Mr. J. Hall, 124lbs. 
weight ; its skin was preserved by Mr. Rd. Davenport. 
Salmo fario. Brook Trout. Commion in all our unpolluted streams. In some 
reservoirs they have been taken as large as 6lbs. weight. 
a 
