ROACH. DACE. 35 



depth, and of very moderate velocity. They feed upon 

 aquatic insects, worms, the larvae of flies, and also 

 on certain vegetable matter. These fish spawn in 

 May and the early part of June. When thus ill- 

 conditioned they are particularly rough to the touch. 

 Their ova is deposited amongst the roots of weeds or 

 upon some projecting or submerged substance there 

 may be in the bottom of the water. The length 

 of a full-sized, well-conditioned roach ranges from 

 10 to 12 inches ; but, being a broad and thick-set 

 fish, the weight is greater than its length would 

 indicate. Upon some waters, a fish of this 

 description, measuring 10 inches, will generally scale 

 about | Ib. They are of marvellously slow growth, 

 as compared with other fish of the same order. 

 The roach is not esteemed as an article of diet. 



DACE, DARE, OR DART. These fish are gregarious, 

 and are common in our clear streams, especially 

 in the south. They frequent slow running waters, 

 where they feed upon the larvae of insects, worms, 

 etc,, and towards September rise well at the fly, and 

 are to be readily taken. There are other species 

 of what are designated coarse fish that rise at the 

 fly, such as the perch, chub, and pike, but these are 

 not nearly so partial to surface feeding as dace. 

 Though these fish generally prefer clear water, they 

 are found plentiful in the polluted portions of large 

 rivers. Their spawning time is April and May. 

 Dace will flourish wherever trout abound, which 

 fish they resemble in their general habits. They 

 seldom attain more than 14 oz. weight. Though 



