TENCH. '2 1 3 



skin*: the head is rather large, the eyes small, 

 and 011 each side the mouth is situated a small 

 beard or cirrus. 



The Tench, like the Carp, is remarkably tena- 

 cious of life : it is supposed by some to lie, during 

 the winter, in a torpid state, concealed beneath the 

 mud of the waters it inhabits, being rarely taken 

 .during that season. In the months of May and 

 June it deposits its spawn, consisting of very small 

 greenish ova, among water-plants, &c. It is con- 

 sidered as a very prolific species^ and is said to be 

 of quick growth. According to the difference, or 

 capriciousness, of taste and fashion, the Tench is 

 held in greater or less repute as a table-fish in 

 different countries. In many parts of Germany it 

 is but little esteemed ; while in our own country it is 

 considered as a very delicate fish. It varies how- 

 ever so much, according to the nature of the waters 

 in which it resides, that these differences of opinion 

 may easily be accounted for* In general, the males 

 are firmer and richer than the females, and are 

 therefore generally preferred. The ancients ap- 

 pear to have esteemed the Tench an inferior kind 

 of fish, and it is mentioned by Ausonius in terms 

 of contempt. 



virides, vulgi solatia, Tineas. 



Green Tenches., fav'rites at plebeian boards. 



The Tench, as before observed^ is sometimes found 



V 



* According to Richter, the scales of the Tench amount to 

 no less than thirty thousand. 



