CHAPTER XII. 



THE BREAM. 



THERE are three species of breams known in European waters, and 

 these have been scientifically named respectively, Abramis brama (the 

 carp-bream), Abramis blicca (the white bream), and Abramis Buggenhagii 

 (or Pomeranian bream) . 



The first of these is the most common in English waters, and, as 

 its name would convey, it possesses certain characteristics of the carp, 

 which characteristics, be it said, vary according to the depth and colour 

 of the water from which the fish is taken. I know, for example, speci- 

 mens of the carp-bream to come up in autumn flood time in colour far 

 from resembling their antetype, rather, indeed, of a slaty grey hue 

 than like the carp, "with scales bedropped with gold," and, on the 

 other hand, I have taken them from the Thames of an almost bronze 

 appearance. The same variation, however, appears in connection with 

 all fishes, and is as unaccountable as it is curious. The white bream is 

 a fish of silvery whiteness, and rarely exceeds a pound in weight. It is 

 found in Dagenham Lake, and in some other waters in Cambridgeshire. 

 I have taken one from the Thames, but believe that such a capture is 

 exceedingly rare. The Pomeranian bream is a still rarer fish, and is 

 chiefly found, as its name indicates, in Pomerania. It is said to have 

 been taken from near Wolverhampton, and also from Dagenham Beach. 

 It is much thicker in body, and the number of its throat teeth is 

 different from that of the other species. A comparison of all these fish 

 readily teaches the angler the difference between them. 



As the average fisherman is very likely to meet with the two first- 

 named occasionally from the same water, and as these two fish are much 

 more alike when small than the Pomeranian is to either, I will, before 

 going from the subject, give one or two simple hints by which the 

 tyro can distinguish the fish. First, the colour is quite different, the 



