HO GENERA AND SPECIES. 



about 3 inches, but it has been recorded as long as 7. Its 

 favourite haunt is in running shallow water, where it assembles in 

 shoals near the surface or among the weeds. It feeds on plants and 

 worms and watep animals, including the dead bodies of its own 

 species. 



The Roach has from n to 13 rays in its dorsal fin, from 12 to 13 

 in its anal, 19 in its caudal, from 16 to 18 in its pectorals, and 9 or 

 i(5 in its ventrals. The first two or three rays in the dorsal and 

 anal are bony. The dorsal is over the ventrals ; the ventrals are 

 midway between the pectorals and anal. The lateral line has from 

 42 to 45 scales it curves slightly downwards to the tip of the 

 pectorals, and Jnen runs straight. The jaws are equal in length ; 

 the mouth reaches to the hinder nostril. The silvery underparts 

 become reddish in the breeding season ; the lower fins are tinged 

 with red, and the dorsal and caudal have blackish edge's. In length 

 it attains 15 inches. It is found in shoals in cleaF, deep, still, or 

 slowly running water, where there is gravel or sand, keeping close to 

 the bottom in running water, and not so deep in still. It feeds on 

 water plants, worms, crustaceans, and other water a'nimals. It 

 gathers in large numbers at certain spots for breeding purposes, and 

 its eggs can be identified by their being greenish and becoming red 

 when boiled. Though a typical fresh- water fish, the Roach is 

 occasionally caught in estuaries. 



The Chub is rather more slender in build, and has a larger head. 

 It has ii rays in its dorsal, from 10 to 12 in its anal, ,19 in its 

 caudal, 16 or 17 in its pectorals, and 9 or 10 in its ventrals. 

 The first 3 rays of the dorsal and anal are bony. The dorsal 

 begins behind the ventrals ; the pectorals, ventrals, anal, and 

 caudal are at equal intervals. The pectorals are very close to the gill 

 cover ; the curve of the back is low. The lateral line has from 43 

 to 48 scales, and is slightly concave throughout, reaching its lowest 

 point over the tips of the ventrals. The jaws are equal, the snout 

 blunt, and the mouth reaches the front edge of the eye. It is much 

 the same colour as the Roach, but rather lighter below, the ventrals 

 and anal are reddish, and the edges of the dorsal and caudal are 

 dark in colour. There is a decided blush of red on its cheeks as a 

 rule. It attains a length of 21 inches. It frequents deep 

 holes in clear water flowing over gravel, sand, or marl, and comes 

 to the surface in warm weather. It feeds on plants, worms, and 

 insects. It is very quick of sight and hearing, and will sink to the 

 bottom at a passing shadow or the slightest sound. 



The Dace is the slenderest and most graceful fish of the five. It 

 has 9 or 10 rays in its dorsal; 10 or n in its anal ; 19 or 20 in its 

 caudal ; 15 or r6 in its pectorals ; and 9 or 10 in its ventrals. The 

 first 2 or 3 rays in the dorsal and anal are bony. The dorsal is 

 nearly over the ventrals ; the ventrals are nearer to the anal than 

 to the pectorals, and the anal is midway between the ventrals and 

 the caudal, which is deeply forked. In the lateral line there are from 48 

 to 52 scales ; it is concave, with the lowest point under the hinder 

 end of the dorsal. At the base of the ventrals there is an angular 

 scale. The upper jaw is the longer ; the mouth does not quite 

 reach the eye. The curve of the back is easy and rather slight ; 



