100 BRITISH FISH AND FISHERIES. 



fection in autumn. We need not describe these 

 fishes, but may be permitted to point out the 

 obvious differences between them. 



The roach is a deeper fish than the dace, 

 with a longer dorsal fin, and a lateral line 

 sweeping more decidedly downwards from the 

 head. The dorsal and caudal fins are pale 

 brown, tinged with red, the pectoral fins are 

 orange red, the others bright red. In the dace, 

 the dorsal and caudal fins are pale brown, 

 and all the others white, Avith a tinge merely 

 of red. 



In the Mersey, and some of its tributary 

 streams, a fish termed the graining {Leuciscus 

 Lancastriensis, Yarrell) is found. It was noticed 

 by Pennant, who observes, that it in some re- 

 spects resembles the dace, but yet is a distinct 

 and perhaps new species. For a clear history 

 of the fish, till lately in obscurity, we are 

 indebted to Mr. Yarrell. He informs us, that 

 " in its habits and food it resembles the trout, 

 frequenting both the rapids and still parts of 

 the rivers, but is not known to exist in ponds. 

 They sometimes, though not commonly, exceed 

 half a pound in weight, and are much better 

 eating than the dace." He gives the colouring 

 as follows : top of the head, back, and upper 

 portion of the sides, pale drab, tinged v^ith 



