THE ROACH. 267 



base of the middle caudal ray ; the first ray short, not half the length 

 of the second ; the third ray the longest in that fin ; the rest gradu- 

 ally diminishing in height ; the last ray about the length of the first ; 

 the sixth ray equalling the length of the base of the fin ; first two 

 rays simple^ the rest branched. Anal fin commencing in a vertical 

 line under the tip of the last ray but one of the dorsal fin, when fold- 

 ed down ; the first ra}' short, not half the length of the second, both 

 simple ; the remainder branched ; the third ray the longest, the sixth 

 as long as the base of the fin. Ventral fins of the same length as the 

 pectorals, arising in a vertical line under the base of the first ray of 

 the dorsal. Pectorals as long as from the tip of the nose to the base 

 of the occiput, the first ray simple, the second the longest in that fin, 

 and, like the remainder, branched at the summit. Eye rather large, 

 the lower margin of the orbit extending below the middle of the 

 cheek ; operculum and suboperculum, taken together, rounded at 

 their free margins ; preoperculum more ang-ular; mouth small ; the jaws 

 nearly equal ; teeth wanting. Scales large, each marked with three 

 or four radiating lines beside concentric ones ; the number of scales 

 forming the lateral line forty-three ; in an oblique row between the 

 dorsal fin and lateral line, seven and a half; between the lateral line 

 and ventral fin, three and a half. Lateral line commencing over the 

 upper part of the operculum, and taking a descending course below 

 the middle to the base of the tail ; caudal fin deeply forked ; the mid- 

 dle ray one-third the length of the longest ray in the same fin ; the 

 longest ray equalling the length of the head. Number of fin rays — 

 D.ll; P. 16; V.9; A. 12 ; C.19; B. 3. 



The Roach is a gregarious fish, keeping in large shoals, 

 and is said to be abundant in all the rivers througliout the 

 temperate parts of Europe. It seldom grows to a large 

 size ; one of three pound weight is considered uncommon, 

 although it is recorded by Pennant to weigh occasionally 

 five pounds. Every summer in the early part of May, im- 

 mense shoals of Roach are observed to leave Loch Lomond, 

 to ascend the dijfferent tributary streams for the purpose of 

 depositing their spawn. During this period, which sel- 

 dom lasts more than three days, the rivers are literally 

 swarming with their numbers, giving a fine green appearance 

 to the whole surface of the water. On this occasion, every 

 basket and net in the neighbouring villages are immediately 



