244 MODERN PRACTICAL ANGLER. 



the only English species of scale fish which have been 

 clearly proved to be bi-sexual, that is, to contain in 

 each separate individual the means of reproduction 

 complete — in other words, both milt and roe. They 

 spawn towards the end of April, or beginning of May, 

 casting their eggs in strings like festoons of pearls 

 about the weeds and rocks. That they increase rapidly 

 is not to be wondered at when it is considered that as 

 many as 280,000 eggs have been counted in a single 

 specimen, weighing half a pound. 



The Pope or Ruffe. 



The only other species of the Perch family known to 

 exist in this country is the Pope or Ruffe, a gregarious 

 fish, which though resembling its congeners in many 

 points of habit and structure, is in an angling point of 

 view altogether inferior. The bait and tackle recom- 

 mended for Gudgeon-fishing will be found also the most 

 successful in taking Pope ; and indeed it is in Gudgeon- 

 fishing that the Pope is most frequently captured. I 

 have seldom met with specimens exceeding 4 or 5 inches 

 in length. 



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