Fish and Fishinz i>i America. 



189 



of these interesting and curious stories 

 are of value, chiefly because they illus- 

 trate how difficult it is for the human 

 mind to attribute observed results to 

 the proper causes. 



The maximum weight of the tench is 

 in dispute ; one of eleven pounds is re- 

 corded in "Daniels' Rural Sports," but 

 an average of three pounds has been 

 adjudged a fair estimate, and one of five 

 is considered exceptionally large in 

 English waters. It is probable that, 

 like the imported carp, the tench will 

 find extremely favorable growth condi- 

 tions with us, and grow as the carp has, 

 beyond all weight-records. It finds a 

 congenial habitat in all waters that suit 

 the carp ; in fact, in England these two 

 fish are, with sparse exceptions, al- 



ways foimd living together. The col" 

 oration of the tench is golden-green 

 on the head, sides and cheeks, the 

 belly being of orange and the iris 

 darker on the upper part of the body, 

 of the eye red and orange ; the fins are 

 dark. The coloration varies in these 

 fish as it does in many others, deepen- 

 ing or becoming paler in different wa- 

 ters, although it prefers sluggish, foul 

 water of considerable depth. It is of. 

 the mud, muddy, and such seems to be 

 the concensus of opinion as to its table 

 qualities, which can be improved, 

 however, by allowing the fish to 

 scour itself for some days in clear run- 

 ning water. It is taken on similar 

 tackle and lures as are used in the cap- 

 ture of carp. 



(.To he Continued.) 



THE MILLER S THUMB. 



