OB, THE HOME-CULTURE OF FRESH-WATER PLANTS. 



arisen, however, from his French name, Roche, that 

 is, rock ; and " sound as a rock " may possibly have 

 been the original form of the saying. But as the 

 Italians have a proverb, " sano come il pesca" 

 (sound as a fish), it seems that we may leave the 

 English form of the same idea, " sound as a roach," 

 undisturbed, for it is certain that he always looks 

 positively gleaming with bright fresh health ; the 

 vivid orange circlet of the eye and the ruddy fins 

 tending to increase that pleasing impression. 



Roach of from a quarter to half a pound are 

 considered by the angler fine fish, quite above the 

 usual run; but Pennant refers to Roach of five 

 pounds in weight. Jesse states that the largest ever 

 taken in the Thames weighed three pounds; and 

 old Izaak Walton tells us, in his quaint way, that 

 he considered a Roach of two pounds worthy of 

 " particular attention." 



The Pike (Plate IV., No. 4), may be added to the 

 Aquarium without danger, if space should allow; 

 but he must be a small specimen, not much larger 

 than the Roach, or the latter would stand but little 

 chance of exhibiting his personal charms for a very 

 lengthened period. The Perch, the Carp, the 

 Tench, and the Pike should, in fact, be selected of 

 as nearly the same size as possible. Taking away 



