CLASS PISCES. . . . in 



I have never been able to obtain a specimen. Although 

 called a Blue Roach, this fish is really a Blue Rudd. 



Leuciscus phoxinus, Fleming. MINNOW. 

 This fish is common in the Stour, the Colne, the Sandon 

 brook (a feeder of the Chelmer), and probably also in all 

 other Essex rivers. Its lively and active habits, and the 

 readiness with which it may be tamed, make it a desirable 

 occupant of the aquarium. 



Genus TlNCA, Cuvier. 



Tinea vulgaris, Cuvier. TENCH. 



A fish well known throughout the county as an inhabitant 

 of ponds. Yarrell mentions (vol. i., p. 330) several localities 

 for Essex Tench. It bears removal well, from its extra- 

 ordinary tenacity of life, and this retentiveness has no doubt 

 assisted in its general dispersion. There is every reason, 

 however, for supposing that it is a true native of our larger 

 rivers. I have had several specimens from the Stour and the 

 Colne. Others are recorded from the Lea. 



As regards the effect of the nature of the water in which 

 it lives upon the suitability of the Tench for the table, Day 

 {Fishes of Great Britain, vol. ii., p. 191) gives an instance of 

 some taken from a fetid muddy pond at Mundon Hall, in this 

 county, which were of an excellent flavour, while others pro- 

 cured from clear water at Leighs Priory smelt and tasted so 

 rank that when dressed no one could eat them. 



Genus ABRAMIS, Cuvier. 

 Abramis brama, Fleming. LAKE BREAM OR POMERANIAN 



BREAM, var. 



This is found in considerable numbers in the Essex and 

 Suffolk Stour, and in some other Essex rivers. The variety 

 called Pomeranian Bream, is found, according to Day (Fishes 

 of Great Britain, vol. ii., p. 195), on the authority of Yarrell, 



