164 THE ANGLER-NATURALIST. 



called) of Ireland. From the true Roach, however, it may 

 be at once distinguished upon the most superficial com- 

 parison. 



The Rudd spawns in April or early in May. 



Principal Characteristics. Length of head compared with length of 

 head and body only, as 2 to 7 ; depth of body to the same as 1 to 3. t 

 Head small ; nose rather blunt. Nape of neck rising abruptly ; profile 

 of back and belly very convex ; fleshy part of tail narrow. Dorsal fin 

 commencing further back than the ventrals, its base standing over the 

 space between ventral and anal fins. From point of nose to com- 

 mencement of pectoral fins, thence to origin of ventral fin, and again 

 to commencement of anal fin are three very nearly equal distances. 

 Mouth toothless ; throat-teeth in two rows (numbering 2 and 5 re- 

 spectively) on each side. Scales large ; number in lateral line about 

 40 ; in oblique line ascending to back-fin, 7 ; in descending line to 

 ventral fin, 4. Colour (see remarks at p. 160). 



Fin-rays : D. 10 : P. 15 : V. 9 : A. 13 : C. 9. 



(Irish Rudd from Lough Neagh have one ray more in the 

 dorsal and anal fins.) 



