British Species of fresh-water Fishes. 9 



anal fin is situated on the obliquity thus produced. The first ray of the anal 

 fin is short, the second the longest, the last ray double. The fleshy part of the 

 tail is narrow, the rays moderately forked, the central rays being only half as 

 long as those which are terminal. 



The localities from which this species is derived, within the township of 

 Knowsley, are but limited. It is hardy, tenacious of life, and spawns in May. 

 The flesh is said to be firm, of good flavour, and to resemble that of the Perch. 

 The food, and the baits used for its capture, are the same as those taken by 

 the Carp ; and the largest specimen known was not supposed to exceed one 

 pound in weight. I hope at some future period to be able to add further 

 details. 



While fishing in the month of August last in the Thames below Woolwich, 

 with the mouth of a whitebait net open against a strong flood-tide, I caught a 

 single specimen of Cyprimis Dobiila of Linuceus, but have not been fortunate 

 enough to obtain any more since. This species, well described and figured by 

 Bloch, No. 5, is common to the Elbe, the Weser, and other i-ivers on the oppo- 

 site coast, but has not, that I am aware, been recorded before as having been 

 taken in any river of England. This fish also belongs to the genus Leuciscus 

 of Klein, and to the same division of that genus as the Graining, Leuciscus 

 Lancastriensis. 



The specimen taken was 6§ inches long, and being a young male fish, was 

 slender in proportion to its length. The general colour a dusky blue on the 

 back, becoming brighter on the sides, and passing into silvery white beneath. 

 The lateral line, descending from the upper angle of the operculum, takes a 

 course along the side parallel to the curve of the belly ; scales of moderate 

 size ; dorsal and caudal fins dusky brown ; pectoral, ventral and anal fins pale 

 orange red ; head rounded and blunt ; upper jaw the longest, the under jaw 

 shutting within it ; nostrils pierced on the upper side of the head, rather nearer 

 the eye than the upper lip ; irides orange ; cheeks and operculum silvery 

 white ; first ray of the dorsal fin arising half-way between the anterior edge of 

 the orbit of the eye and the end of the fleshy portion of the tail, the first ray 

 short, the second the longest, the last ray double ; of the anal fin also, the first 

 ray is short, and the last ray double. Bloch says, this fish prefers clear rivers 

 and large lakes, in which it deposits its spawn in the months of March and 



VOL. XVII. c 



