IIOACH. 23 



colour. The back is of a dusky colour, sometimes of 

 a bluish cast; the belly pale. About the gills it is of a 

 gold colour, and the mouth is round, and without teeth. 

 The tail is forked, and, with the fins, is of a red 

 colour. 



Pond roach, which are not so good as river roach, 

 however, have been known to exceed four pounds in 

 weight, but they usually run from eight ounces or nine 

 ounces to two pounds. The best size for eating is 

 about half a pound in weight. 



Roach prefer gravelly, sandy, or slimy marl 

 bottoms, under a deep gentle running stream. In 

 summer they will be found in shallows, near the tails of 

 fords, under the shade of trees, &c. In winter, they 

 resort to eddies and deep holes. They spawn about 

 the middle of May, and recover their strength in about 

 a month's time. About London, roach fishing is best 

 about the month of August. 



Koach make a nice dish, if broiled over a slow fire, 

 after having had some flour thrown over them; as they 

 become brown, they should be cut, just skin deep, from 

 head to tail. When fully done, the skin should be 



