THE ROACH 197 



red ; it is very variable in form, for some examples 

 are as deep as the Rudd, others as slender as the 

 Dace. The specimen figured (PI. XXVII, Fig. i) 

 is 8 inches long, and is of average depth. 



This species inhabits Europe north of the 

 Pyrenees and the Alps, and in Asia it is found 

 in Russian Turkestan and throughout Siberia. It 

 does not occur in Ireland ; in Devon, Cornwall, and 

 West Wales it is scarce and local, whilst in Scotland 

 its northern limits are Loch Lomond and the Teith. 



Roach of more than 3 lbs. are extremely rare, 

 and one does not often see finer specimens than two 

 of 2 lbs. 4I oz. and 2 lbs. 5f oz., taken near Wilton 

 in November, 1902, and presented to the British 

 Museum by the Rev. H. G. Veitch. I am indebted 

 to Mr. A. J. Alexander for particulars concerning a 

 Roach of 3 lbs. loj oz., which I believe is the 

 largest known from English waters. It was taken 

 in November, 1904, from the Bristol Water 

 Company's reservoir, made by damming a stream, 

 and containing over 1 60 million gallons of water ; 

 except for Sticklebacks, this and about a dozen 

 other fine Roach were the only fish in the reservoir, 

 and the absence of enemies and competitors accounts 

 to some extent for the large size attained. I have 

 seen this fish, which is an undoubted Roach, and 

 measures 17 inches in total length. The next 

 largest I have seen, a fish of 2 lbs. 13^ oz., was 

 captured in the Thames by Mr. G. Edmonds in 

 November, 1903. It also is 17 inches long, but is 

 not nearly so deep as the Bristol specimen. 



Roach are found in lakes, canals, and in rivers 

 which are not too rapid, preferring as a rule those 

 which are slow and deep. They swim in shoals. 



