-2 THE BREAM. 



dismiss hirm The second kind, too, hardly deserves a pass- 

 ing reference, as it is only the white or small silver bream, a 

 fish of no reputation whatever, being seldom: above a pound 

 in weight, more generally from four to eight ounces ; sHmy 

 and disagreeable as to his jacket, and no use whatever as 

 an eatable. In some waters they are a positive nuisance, in- 

 sisting on pulling down the float every minute, taking the 

 large bait intended for their bigger brethren, and when 

 pulled up they perhaps go a couple of ounces in weight, look- 

 ing for all the world like a bit of tin ; indeed, they are known 

 as " tin plates " to the fen fishermen. Worms and gentles 

 are the best hook baits for them ; and for ground bait a few 

 handfuls of brewer's grains mixed with clay is all that is re- 

 quired. The colour of the white breami is silver ; the fins 

 are light brown, and the eye large and prominent. So with 

 these few remarks I dismiss him. with my blessing. 



The third kind, which I must notice at greater length, is 

 the common or carp-bream,, known to naturalists as Cyprinus 

 Brama, or Abramis Vulgaris. This fish cannot lay claim to 

 great personal beauty, although it is not without certain 

 attractions, especially when in good condition, and an in- 

 habitant of a first-class bream river. Some people call him 

 the " golden bream," but I cannot imagine where this name 

 comes in, unless the bronzy sheen that glitters on the upper 

 part of a freshly-caught specimen deserves to be called 

 " gold." He is also known to other anglers as the " bellows 

 fish." This, I make no doubt, is owing to his extraordinary 

 shape, being wonderfully broad, considering his length and 

 thickness ; indeed, I have seen specimens when prepared for 

 the table that, when the head and tail have been removed, 

 the breadth has been greater than the length. He has a 

 small head and mouth, the fins are very dark in colour, and 

 the tail is very much forked. When freshly caught and in 

 good condition, say during August and September, the scales 

 on the sides, especially towards the upper part, glistens with 

 a sort of metallic lustre that gives the fish a very pleasing 

 appearance ; but this sheen soon fades, and after being out 

 of the water for a few hours he changes tO' a much paler 

 colour. I have heard him also referred to as the " black 

 bream." This, I should suppose, is owing to the extreme 



