122 



ANGLING. 



The dimensions vary greatly, as in other fishes. 

 A roach of two pounds was deemed by Walton 

 worthy of record. The largest known to Mr. Jesse 

 weighed three pounds. Mr. Pennant alludes to 

 one which weighed five pounds. But the great 

 majority do not much exceed a few ounces. This 

 fish, though common in England, is found in few 

 of the Scotch lakes and rivers. It follows, how- 

 ever, the lines of our canals, and may now be caught 

 in considerable quantities (by those who have per- 

 mission so to do) at the eastern terminus of the 

 Union Canal, in the western suburb of Edinburgh. 



THE DACE.* 



This species bears some resemblance to the pre- 

 ceding both in its aspect and habits, but it is less 

 generally distributed over England, and does not, 

 so far as we are informed, occur naturally in 

 Scotland at all. It is common on the continent 

 of Europe. It is gregarious, swims in shoals, and 

 spawns in June. It seldom exceeds nine or ten 

 inches in length, and as an article of consumption, 

 is preferable to the roach. " Its food is worms and 

 other soft substances ; but like the trout, it will 

 occasionally rise at an artificial fly, and it is fre- 

 quently taken by fly- fishers while whipping for 

 that fish."~f* Above Richmond, as soon as the 

 weeds begin to rot, a grasshopper used as an arti- 

 ficial fly is found very successful in hot weather 

 among the shallows. This mode can only be 



* Leuciscus vulgaris, Cuv,- Cyprimis leitciscus, Linn, 

 f British Fislws, vol. i, p. 33. 



