tit 



Yery handsome ; not very dissimilar to the carp, but n-j* 

 so deep in the body. His meat is not delicate, and, 

 owing to the immense number of small bones to be found 

 in every part, is not much esteemed. 



Just before their -spawning time, they are worth catchy- 

 ing for their roes j which, made into a pye> well sea* 

 soned, and with a dash of vinegar, are delicious. Thft 

 month of March, or beginning of April, is the best 

 time for the above purpose. During a fortnight, or more, 

 after spawning, they are weak, and consequently, flabby; 

 but they recover gradually, and are in high season about 

 Christmas, at which time the small bones are not so nu- 

 merous, or, pel haps, become more distinct, and conse- 

 quently, not so dangerous or troublesome. 



In various waters, these fishes grow to different sizes :* 

 in small brooks they very rarely exceed three pounds, but 

 hi larger rivers, where they get plenty of food, and a 

 rapid change of water, they reach to a large size; I saw 

 four caught under a weir in one evening, of which the 

 smallest weighed eight pounds, the largest upwards of 

 nine. They -afford, excellent sport, being peculiarly 

 strong and impetuous. 



When rendered desperate, they will run, head on, 

 against a boat, &c. and make furious plunges to the bot- 

 tom, especially in deep strong waters. 



They will not lay much in muddy situations, but pi\> 

 fer sand, or those clay holes found under steep banks 

 overshadowed with arborage : they are partial to the 

 steep sides of the nights (or small islands) in the larger 

 rivers, .where they creep into the holes made by water- 

 rats, &c. 



It is extremely common to see very fine shea take*. 

 L out 



