THE CHTJB. 121 



this connection, it may be noted that these fish seem even more fond 

 of the weed generally than the roach. 



When chub are young there may in some cases be a difficulty in dis- 

 tinguishing them from small dace. As they increase in size, however, the 

 difference becomes more marked. Whereas there is a uniformity of 

 colour in the dace, the chub may at sight be recognised by its dark, 

 almost chocolate-coloured tail and back fins. The scales are also larger, 

 and only average about forty-four in the lateral line instead of fifty-two in 

 the dace. The extre e whiteness of the leathery lips of the chub also 

 points out another difference, and the much larger mouth is another very 

 conspicuous peculiarity of the chub. The inside of the mouth and throat 

 is lined with an exceedingly tenacious membrane, from which the hook 

 seldom tears, and the throat is armed with teeth of considerable size, in 

 two rows, numbering three and five on each side. 



The haunts of the chub in rivers during summer are chiefly under 

 banks of clay fringed with osiers, and in winter in deeper lagoons and 

 eddies near clay banks, into which they frequently bore. This is, however, 

 for the purpose, not of hiding, but for the extraction of crayfish and such 

 other Crustacea as take refuge in the soft soil. It is not rare to find a chub 

 with stomach completely gorged with young cray fish and silk weed. Chub 

 are also found lurking round any ancient submerged structure, old camp 

 shedding, piles, concrete blocks, and in spring they are frequently taken 

 in the rough water of weirs with the spinning minnow or small bait. 

 The root of an old pollard is, however the favourite "home" of your 

 five-pounder patriarchal chub. He may cruise upwards and downwards 

 seeking food, when unsuspicious of his inveterate human enemy, but in- 

 stantly the hook pricks his leathery mouth he darts with incredible velo- 

 city back to the quiet hover he has made his home or out into the stream, 

 and not until the last moment will he succumb, such is the courage of a 

 large fish. 



The food of Leuciscus cephalus consists of nearly all insect life, and 

 he is particularly fond of the weed to which I have referred. Being a 

 very good feeder, he delights in huge morsels, and I have known a 

 31b. chub to take a frog almost full grown. It does not disdain the 

 small members of its own family, but as a rule is not cannibalistic. It 

 seems of a social albeit shy disposition. 



Chub are in best season, in my opinion, from August to October, that 

 is, best for sport and eating. I mention its season for the table because 

 I by no means am disposed to endorse the absolute condemnation meted 

 out to this fish in connection with its gastronomic value. It is very true 

 that the French, according to Walton, term him Un vilain ; but I have 

 breakfasted before now most agreeably off a lb. or fib. chub, simply fried 



