228 THE RIVER-SIDE NATURALIST. 



of pearly powder applicable to the preparation of beads, so 

 that 16,000 fish were required in order to obtain only one 

 pound of the essence of pearls. The manufacture of false 

 pearls from bleak-scales has greatly diminished, their place 

 being taken by the silvery pigment found in the air-bladder 

 of the Argentine (Argentina sphyrcena), a Salmonoid found 

 on the shores of Norway, on both the east and west coasts 

 of Scotland, and elsewhere. 



THE MINNOW. 



The MINNOW, MINIM, or PINK (Leuciscus phoxinus) is one 

 of the smallest, but as regards colour one of the most 

 beautiful, of the British Cyprinidce. It seldom exceeds 

 from three to four inches in length, and is found in many 

 rivers, brooks, and canals. The figure given is one excep- 

 tionally large four and a half inches sent to the editor 

 of the Fishing Gazette. The Minnow is very common in 

 England ; rare in Scotland and Ireland. 



THE MINNOW. 



The name is supposed to be derived from the Latin 

 word minimus, little. It has several provincial names 

 Pink, from its colour ;' Bennick, Minim, Peer, Jack Barnell, 

 Meaker, Mengy, Mennard, Shabrid. In France it is called 

 La V air on. 



The minnow is a most prolific breeder, spawning about 

 the end of May, and then frequenting the ditches and 

 small watercourses running into the main stream. When 



