CARP AND TENCH. 297 



were taken out of Munden Hall Fleet, Essex, which was so 

 thick with weeds that the flue-nets could hardly be sunk through 

 them, and where the mud was intolerably foetid and had dyed 

 the fish of its own hue, which was that of ink ; yet no tench 

 could be better grown, or of a sweeter flavour.' ... 'In a 

 clear pond at Leigh's Priory a quantity of tench were caught of 

 about 3 Ibs. weight each, of a colour the most golden and 

 beautiful ; but when dressed and brought to table they smelt 

 and tasted so rankly that no one would eat them. 5 By washing 

 the slime off the fish with warm water before cooking the 

 muddy taste is said to be removed. 



Walton says the tench ' eat pleasantly ' and form a desirable 

 addition to the cuisine, also the dictum of the late Mr. Grantley 

 Berkeley, whose experience of tench in stew ponds I have already 

 referred to. Indeed, it is stated that in extensive tracts of 

 water near Yarmouth tench are still bred in large quantities as 

 a marketable commodity, being fattened, until fit for the table, 

 upon a mixture of greaves and meal. 



Characteristics of the Common Carp. Body covered with 

 large scales, in about twelve rows between ventrals and back 

 fin ; a single very long back fin. Lips fleshy. Mouth small, 

 and without teeth. Throat-teeth in three rows on each side, 

 the inner row composed of three with broad flat crowns which 

 are furrowed, somewhat resembling those of ruminating ani- 

 mals. Two barbels or beards at each corner of the mouth. 

 First back-fin, ray, short and bony ; the second also bony, 

 notched on the posterior surface, as likewise the first ray of the 

 anal fin. Tail deeply forked. Colouring, generally, golden 

 olive-brown, head darkest ; belly, yellowish-white ; fins, dark 

 brown. Scales covered with a thick mucus or epidermis. 

 Vertebra; 36. 



Finrays : D. 22; P. 17; V. 9; A. 8; C. 19. 



Characteristics of the Common Tench. Length of head 

 compared to total length of body, excluding tail, as 2 to 7. 

 Head rather large and blunt. Mouth small, toothless, with a 

 small barbel at each corner. Throat-teeth in a single row on 



