BASSE. 247 



has fourteen strong, spiny rays, and the second sixteen 

 soft ones. The body is of a beautiful greenish golden 

 colour, marked with about five blackish transverse 

 bands. 



Ruffe. Although this is but a diminutive species, its 

 strength and voracity cause it to be dreaded by several 

 of the smaller inhabitants of the water. It spawns in 

 March and April, depositing its eggs on sand-banks in 

 fresh-water rivers or streams, and generally at the depth 

 of from five to ten feet. In Prussia it is said that these 

 fish are particularly abundant. We are informed by 

 Klein, that in fishing one day under the ice in the Frisch- 

 Haffs, as many Ruffes and small salmon were caught as 

 filled seven hundred and eighty small tubs. They are 

 considered as delicate eating, but, from the smallness of 

 their size, they are very little in request. It is stated that 

 these fish may be kept for a considerable time in a glass 

 jar, provided the water be frequently changed ; and that, 

 in this state of confinement, they will become tame and 

 familiar. 



They seldom exceed the length of six inches. On the 

 back there is a single fin, consisting of twenty-seven rays, 

 fifteen of which are spiny, and the remainder soft. The 

 back and sides are of a dirty green colour, the last in- 

 clining to yellow, but both spotted with black. The dor- 

 sal fin also is spotted with black, and the tail marked with 

 transverse bars. 



Basse. This is a species of fish which was well known 

 to the ancient Greeks and Romans. It is found in nearly 

 all parts of the Mediterranean ; and also in the seas which 

 surround the British coasts. It is strong, active, and 

 voracious ; and was considered by the ancients amongst 



