26 TENCH. 



tlie temperature of the water, which in the case here described 

 was above seventy degrees. The growth of the Tench afterwards 

 is speedy, so that in twelve months it may weigh from half a 

 pound to a pound; and an instance is known where a Tench 

 placed in a pond in six years and a half attained to the weight 

 of four pounds and a half — which is what it most frequently 

 reaches in England. 



We have not thought it necessary for the most part to 

 describe the methods used in Britain in fishing for those species 

 which inhabit our fresh waters, since there are numerous volumes 

 which treat on this subject at greater length than our space 

 will allow ; but we copy the following from the Reverend Richard 

 Lubbock's "Fauna of Norfolk," because it includes a lively 

 picture of some particulars of the nature of this fish: — 



"In Norfolk there are fishermen who for catching Tench in 

 shallow water prefer their own hands, with a landing-net to be 

 used occasionally, to any other engines. The day for this 

 operation cannot be too calm or too hot. During the heats of 

 summer, but especially at the time of spawning, Tench delight 

 in lying near the surface of the water amongst beds of reeds; 

 in such situations they are found in parties, varying from four 

 or five to thirty in number. On the very near approach of a 

 boat they strike away, dispersing in different directions, and 

 then the sport of the Tench-catcher begins. He perceives where 

 some particular fish has stopped in its flight, which is seldom 

 more than a few yards; his guide in this is the bubble which 

 rises generally where the fish stops. Approaching the place as 

 gently as possible in his boat, which must be small, light, and 

 steady in her bearings, he keeps her steady with his pole, and 

 lying down with his head over the gunwale, and his right arm 

 bared to the shoulder, taking advantage in his search, of light 

 and shade, he gently with his fingers displaces the weeds, and 

 endeavours to descry the Tench in his retreat. If the fisherman 

 can see part of the fish, so as to determine which way the head 

 lies, the certainty of capture is much increased; but if he cannot, 

 immersing his arm, he feels slowly and cautiously about until 

 he touches it; which, if done gently on head or body, is generally 

 disregarded by this sluggish and stupid fish; but if the tail is 

 the part molested, a dash away again is the usual consequence. 

 Should the fisherman succeed in ascertaining the position of the 



