28 TENCH. 



and of a greenish gold colour. The back is dusky, 

 and the dorsal and ventral fins of the same colour, 

 those of the male being much larger than those of the 

 female; the head, sides, and belly are of a greenish 

 cast, beautifully mixed with gold; the eyes are large, 

 and of a gold colour; the body is covered with a slimy 

 substance, which has the reputation of possessing 

 great healing properties. From this circumstance the 

 tench has obtained the name of " the physician," and 

 is said to enjoy protection against the voracity of even 

 the pike. 



" For when by wounds distrest, or sore disease, 

 He courts the salutary fish for ease ; 

 Close to his scales the kind physician glides, 

 And sweats a healing balsam from his sides." 



The tench spawns at the latter end of June, or the 

 beginning of July, and is in season from the be- 

 ginning of September to the end of May. It is fond of 

 standing waters and ponds, and the still parts of rivers, 

 and is so fond of the mud as to be almost constantly at 

 the bottom of a river in which it is to be found. 



The flesh of the tench, though agreeable enough in 

 flavour, is not very nutritive, and is said to be hard of 



