166 THE ANGLEK-NATUEALIST. 



5 respectively) on each side. Scales large, and differing from those of 

 the Rudd (vide woodcut) ; scales in lateral line about 42. Lateral line 

 concave. Dorsal fin commencing halfway between eye and end of 

 fleshy portion of tail ; pectoral fins rather long, reaching nearly to the 

 origin of the ventrals, which arise considerably in advance of the dorsal 

 fin, thus bringing that fin over the space between the ventral and anal 

 fins. Fleshy part of tail narrow j tail-fin deeply forked. 



Fin-rays : D. 10 : P. 15 : V. 9 : A. 12 : C. 19. 



THE BLEAK. 



(Leuciscus alburnus *.) 



This fish much resembles a Sprat in form and general 

 appearance, and makes a good spinning-bait for Pike or 

 Thames Trout. It is, however, a " surface-swimmer/' and, 

 as such, much too delicate, and easily killed on being taken 

 from the water, to be used in ' ' live-baiting." The Bleak 

 abounds in the Thames, and in most other rivers producing 

 Roach and Dace. It is a very playful and sportive fish, 

 and on a summer's evening may be seen perpetually dart- 

 ing about and leaping at the midges which would fain flit 

 * Leuciscus, a Dace, Gr. j albus, white, Lat. 



