TENCH. 27 



fish, he insinuates one hand, which alone is used, under it just 

 behind the gills, and raises it gently, but yet rapidly, towards 

 the surface of the water. In lifting it over the side of the boat, 

 which should be low, he takes care not to touch the gunwale 

 with his knuckles, as the slightest jar makes the captive flounce 

 and struggle. On being laid down the Tench often remains 

 motionless for full a minute, and then begins apparently to 

 perceive the fraud practised upon it. The fisherman then, if 

 he marked more than one Tench when the shoal dispersed, 

 proceeds to search for it. If not he endeavours to start another 

 by striking his pole against the side or bottom of the boat. The 

 concussion moves other fish, when the same manoeuvres are 

 repeated. In the course of a favourable day one fisherman 

 will easily secure five or six dozen. The run, as it is termed, 

 of a Tench is different from that of a Bream or Rud. It is 

 not straight or extended, but short, varying, and devious. 

 Very often the fish halts within five or six yards of the place 

 it started from; and a good-sized fish is more easily taken than 

 a small one." 



The shape of the Tench is generally thick and solid, but 

 compressed at the sides; its breadth (or depth) being conveyed 

 almost to the tail, and if our figure is less so, it is because of 

 the form of the individual example. In England it does not 

 often exceed four or five pounds in weight, but old fishes grow 

 to a more considerable size, especially on the continent. The 

 gape is moderate, jaws nearly equal, lips fleshy, without teeth; 

 a slight barb at the corner; the palate is fleshy only on its 

 posterior half. The back rises from the snout to the dorsal fin. 

 Eye small; body clothed with small fine scales; the lateral line 

 drops at first, and then passes straight to the tail. Dorsal fin 

 a little behind the middle of the body; as wide as long; anal 

 behind the termination of the dorsal; pectoral fin broad, and 

 the ventrals rather so. Tail straight or a little rounded. Colour 

 of the back and fins rich dark brown; sides fulvous brown or 

 yellow, lighter below. Eye red. The dorsal fin has nine rays, 

 the first short, and the anal has the same; pectoral fourteen, 

 ventral nine, caudal seventeen. 



