216 
(Salmo fario, Linn.), which are more common in the upper 
portion of the Severn and its affluents than in the main river; 
and the grayling (Thymallus vulgaris, Nilsson), which was by 
no means rare on the fords in the Severn, near Shrewsbury, 
especially around “ The Isle,” and at the mouth of the Verniew 
and other streams. In the report of the Salmon Commission 
for 1860 we are told that about 1856 “grayling were exceed- 
ingly abundant in the Severn, and the Verniew particularly,” 
(p. 242,) but that at this period they were almost cleared out by 
disease, or parasites, and have never quite recovered their 
former position; in that report an excellent description was 
given of what we now know as Saprolegnia feraz. Another 
injurious influence affecting these fishes was said to exist in 
the way in which fords were being denuded of gravel for the 
purpose of mending roads. Many coarse fishes are captured 
in this river, some being more common in tributary streams, 
but still finding their way into the main channel, while others 
are constantly present in both localities. 
The bull-head or boar-pig, Cottus gobio, Linn. 
Three-spined stickleback, G'asterosteus aculeatus, Linn. 
Ten-spined stickleback, " pungitius, Linn. 
Pike, Esox lucius, Linn. 
Gudgeon, Gobio fluviatilis, Flem. 
Roach, Leuciscus rutilus, Linn. 
Chub, " cephalus, Linn. 
Dace, u vulgaris, Flem. 
Minnow, » phoxinus, Linn. 
Tench, Tinca vulgaris, Cuv. 
Bream, A bramis brama, Linn. 
Bleak, Alburnus lucidus, Heckel. 
Loach, Nemacheilus barbatula, Linn. 
Among the foregoing forms the pike is a favourite for sport 
with some anglers, its appetite is insatiable, and it is believed 
to occasion considerable mischief among the fishes of this some- 
what sluggish river. Although so long ago as the time of 
Queen Elizabeth barbel (Barbus vulgaris, Fleming,) were pro- 
tected by law in the Severn, it is not now present, and may 
have died out, at least I never took one in its waters, or heard 
