124 THE SPORTING FISH 



tion common to the species, as well as to several 

 others of the Carp family, at the spawning-time. 



The smaller and inferior variety of this genus, 

 already mentioned, called the White Bream or 

 Bream-Flat (Abramis blicca], is frequently found in 

 the same waters as the Carp-Bream, and in habits 

 and food is nearly identical. The principal points 

 in which it differs in appearance from the Carp- 

 Bream are (i) its colour, the prevailing tone of 

 which is rather silvery than yellow; (2) its size 

 the Bream- Flat rarely exceeding i Ib. in weight; 

 and (3) its teeth (throat-teeth), which are in two 

 rows on each side, numbering two and five re- 

 spectively, those of the Carp-Bream being placed 

 in only one row on each side, numbering five. This 

 last point of difference is so obvious and easily 

 verified that no mistake can possibly occur. Other 

 minor distinctions will be observed on a close com- 

 parison of the fish. The White Bream is known to 

 exist in Cambridgeshire, Nottinghamshire, Norfolk, 

 and Dumfriesshire. I have taken it frequently in 

 the River Wey in Surrey, and it is probably locally 

 recognized in many other counties. It is also 

 common on the Continent and in Scandinavia. 

 It is best fished for with roach-tackle and a red 

 worm or gentle, and has this singular habit by 

 which it may be constantly recognized, even before 

 it has been seen of rising instead of descending 

 with the bait ; in consequence of which the float, 

 in lieu of being drawn under water, is laid flat upon 



