THE CHUB. 223 



hill," as the fishermen call it, for the purpose of depositing 

 their ova on the rushes and other aquatic plants. A great 

 number of these ova are eaten by the water-shrimps and 

 other aquatic insects. Buckland states that roach are 

 subject to a curious disease, in which the scales turn jet 

 black, and which is very fatal. 



Moses Browne says : " The roach is called the river- 

 sheep for his simplicity ; " but the late Francis Francis 

 writes : " No greater mistake can be made than to fancy 

 the roach is so simple a fish." 



Roach-fishing is an art of itself, requiring a quick eye, a 

 quick strike, and very 'fine tackle. The Thames and Trent 

 roach-fishers are great adepts, and, as Francis Francis says, 

 " it is very pretty sport, requiring the exercise of much 

 skill, patience, quickness of apprehension, and ingenuity, 

 combined with a thorough knowledge of the habits of 

 the fish." 



The roach is not found in Ireland, its place being taken 

 by the rudd. 



THE CHUB. 



The CHUB (Leudscus cephalus), LARGE-HEADED DACE, 

 SKELLY, CHEVIN. 



The very obtuse snout, the large mouth, the wide and 

 chubby head, and large scales distinguish this fish from 



THE CHUB. 



others of its kind. The lateral line descends by a gentle 

 curve till it is even with the end of the pectoral fin -rays, 

 then straight to the tail. The dorsal fin commences half- 

 way between the point of the nose and end of fleshy part 



