DACE. 55 



is very slightly the shortest; head rather small; eye moderately 

 large. The outline rising very gradually to the dorsal fin, 

 which is further back than in the Roach: its origin a little 

 behind the root of the vcntrals, and having nine rays, as have 

 also the ventrals. The hindmost rays of the dorsal are long, 

 although not equal in length to the first. Scales on the body 

 rather smaller than on a Roach of the same size. Lateral 

 line at first descending, and then straight to the tail, with 

 fifty-two perforated scales; anal fin not greatly expanded, with 

 ten rays; pectorals somewhat pointed, having seventeen rays; 

 the tail forked, with twenty-one rays. The usual colour dark 

 bluish, but sometimes brown; the sides lighter, with numerous 

 lines running along the course of the scales. Dorsal fin 

 yellowish, with a dark cloud on its anterior edge: the other 

 fins pale. 



