TENCH. 27 



rather round, and of pretty equal thickness in the 

 greater part of the slope; the scales are large, the head 

 and back of a deep dusky green, the sides silvery in 

 winter and yellowish in summer; the belly is white, 

 and the tail of a brownish hue, tinged with blue at the 

 end, and forked; the pectoral fins are of a pale yellow, 

 and the ventral and anal fins red. 



The chub spawns in May, and is in the best con- 

 dition in the spring, while full of spawn. Chub gene- 

 rally swim in droves, and keep to one spot, especially 

 if there be plenty of wood. It is mostly found in 

 holes, and under the shade of trees. 



The flesh of the chub is white, soft, and insipid, and 

 therefore is not much esteemed. 



SECT. XL THE TENCH. 

 Cyprinus Tinea. 



THIS is another fish of the carp species, and, in some 

 waters, it attains to the enormous weight of 181bs. or 

 201bs.; but it is generally much smaller than that 

 about 5lbs. or Gibs. It is a short, thick, roundish fish, 

 sometimes nearly as broad as it is long. It is not very 

 handsome, therefore. The fins and tail are large, and 

 of a purple violet colour; the scales are small and close, 



