TENCH. 



THE Tench appears to be a native of most parts 

 of the globe, inhabiting chiefly large stagnant waters 

 with a muddy bottom ; it is seldom to be found in 

 rivers. Its general length is about twelve or four- 

 teen inches, but, like most other fish it is occasionally 

 found of far greater magnitude. Its usual colour is 

 a deep blackish olive, accompanied by a slight gilded 

 cast ; the fins, which are thick are of a dull violet 

 colour ; it sometimes varies considerably in the tinge 

 of its colour according to the situation in which it 

 resides. The shape of this fish is thick, and the 

 skin is covered, like that of an Eel, with an adhesive 

 mucus, or slime, beneath which appear the scales, 

 which are very small, and closely affixed to the skin ; 



