CHAPTER IV 



Gwyniads Numbers Dimensions and uses of Ancient lay Roach 

 Rudd Breams Hybrid fish Eels. 



FROM time immemorial Bala Lake has enjoyed the distinc- 

 tion of numbering amongst its inhabitants the Powan, or 

 Gwyniad (Coregonus culpeoides), a distinction, which, so far 

 as Wales is concerned, seems to be unique, and is shared 

 only with the English Lakes as regards the rest of Britain. 

 A very similar, if not identical fish, is, however, found in 

 Loch Lomond ; while the Vendace (C. vandasius) of Loch- 

 maben and the neighbouring lochs of Dumfriesshire, and 

 the Pollan (C.pollan) of some of the Irish lakes, very closely 

 resemble it. The fish inhabiting the English Lakes has 

 hitherto been generally regarded as identical with the 

 Gwyniad, but within the last few years specimens sent to 

 the British Museum from Windermere and Bassenthwaite 

 have been considered by Mr C. Tate Regan to present 

 specific distinctions, and have been named by him Coregonus 

 gracilior, on account of their more slender shape. 1 Gunther 

 formerly bestowed the name of C. gracilis upon another 

 form, and a good many other varieties, or races, have from 

 time to time been considered worthy of specific rank by 

 him and other authorities. There is one marine species 

 (C. oxyrhynchus) which is occasionally taken on the coast of 

 Britain and on the Continent, as well, it is said, as on the 

 other side of the Atlantic ; others appear periodically to 

 migrate to salt water. 



All the Coregonidtfy whether migratory or confined to 

 lakes, are obscure living, deep-water frequenting fish, 

 whose study presents unusual difficulties. They seldom 



1 Annals and Magazine of Nat. Hist, for February 1906, etc. 



30 



