GEN. LEtJCISCUS. THE AZFRINE AND BLEAK. 7Q 



the same food, it is much more esteemed than the 

 Roach. It spawns in April and May, at which 

 period the scales are rough to the hand. 



(Sp. 112.) L. cosruleus The Azurine. For the 

 introduction of this species we are indebted to Mr. 

 Yarrell, who received it, along with the Graining, 

 from the Earl of Derby. It occurs in certain limited 

 localities in the neighbourhood of Knowsley, and in 

 the district receives the name of the Blue Roach. 

 M. Agassiz stated that this fish is an inhabitant 

 likewise of some of the Swiss lakes. It is hardy, 

 tenacious of life, and spawns in May. The flesh is 

 said to be firm and of good flavour. The largest 

 observed specimen did not exceed one pound in 

 weight. This fish is at once distinguished from the 

 Red-eye, by the slate-blue colour of the back, the 

 silvery white of the abdomen, its white fins ; and 

 by the iris being tinged a pale straw colour. 



(Sp. ] 13.) L. alburnus. The Bleak, or Blick. 

 The body of this species is of an elongated and nar- 

 row form, the forehead straight, and the lower jaw 

 somewhat extended; the tail much forked; in 

 length it seldom exceeds six or eight inches. Its 

 colour is a light green, or ash-brown, tinged with 

 blue ; the sides, cheeks, gill-covers, and abdomen, 

 shining silvery white ; the iris silvery, sometimes 

 tinged with yellow ; and all the fins nearly white. 

 It is very abundant throughout Europe, and is 

 common in England, being frequent in the Thames 

 and other rivers near London. Sibbald names it as 

 a native of Scotland ; but we are not aware of any 



