200 BRITISH FRESHWATER FISHES 



the origin of the dorsal fin to the lateral line, and three 

 or four between the latter and the base of the pelvic fin. 



The dorsal fin has eight to ten branched rays ; 

 it is rather smaller and has the free edge less con- 

 cave than in the Roach ; also it is placed much 

 farther back, originating well behind the base of the 

 pelvic fins and ending nearly above the vent ; the 

 anal has ten to thirteen branched rays, and usually 

 has a longer base than the dorsal. 



It is worth noticing that in all the principal 

 characters in which it departs from the Roach type, 

 such as the double series of pharyngeal teeth, the 

 backward position of the dorsal fin, and the elonga- 

 tion of the base of the anal, the Rudd approaches 

 the White Bream, and there is still another Bream- 

 like feature to be mentioned, that the belly behind 

 the pelvic fins is compressed and keeled ; however, 

 the scaling is continuous over the keel, which is not 

 the case in the Breams. In colour the Rudd differs 

 from the Roach chiefly in having a bronze or golden 

 tinge on the sides ; the fins are usually reddish. 



The Rudd is an inhabitant of Europe (except the 

 Iberian Peninsula), Asia Minor, Russian Turkestan, 

 and Siberia. In England and Wales it is rather 

 local ; it is common in the Norfolk Broads, but 

 seems to be absent from the Trent. It occurs in a 

 few ponds in Sussex, in the Isle of Wight, and in 

 Slapton Ley, in Devonshire, but I am not acquainted 

 with other localities in England south of the Thames 

 and Severn. Apparently it is not found in Scotland, 

 but in Ireland it is abundant throughout the island. 



The Rudd attains a length of about 18 inches 

 and a weight of at least 3 J Ibs. ; the example 

 figured (PI. XXVII, Fig. 3) is 9 inches long. 



