128 THE ANGLER-NATURALIST. 



Genus TINCA*. 



THE TENCH. 



(Tinea vulgaris*.} 



In addition to the characteristics of the preceding genus 

 (the Gudgeons) it may be mentioned of the Tenches that 

 they have very small scales, and beards of a corresponding 

 size, with a thick coating of slime or mucus over the 

 body. 



The common Tench is the most tenacious of life of any 

 fresh-water fish except the Eel. I have known one of them 

 live for a whole day with the gimp of a double jack-hook 

 passed under the skin from gill to tail, the fish being mean- 

 while cast about from place to place on the water, and sus- 

 pended in a most unnatural position. In fact, such is the 

 perfection of the organs of the species, that they have been 

 proved by experiment to be able to breathe when the quan- 

 tity of oxygen is reduced to the 5000th part of the bulk of 



* Tinea, the Tench j vulgaris, common, Lat. 



