298 THE BREAM* 



tive of our rivers. The colour of this fpecles is a deep 

 yellow ; as an article of food, it is held in little eftimation. 

 It is very deep and thick, the back much arched, and 

 the dorfal fin fupportcd by nineteen rays j the firll two 

 Urony, and ferrates. 



l^he Roach *, 



X HE roach, like the other fifli of this genus, frequefits 

 the ftill or rtagnated waters ; it is an excellent pond fifh, 

 not only thriving well in artificial Iheets of water, but 

 replenifhing them fooner than any other fpecies, with a 

 numerous race of inhabitants. Its ofTspring are not fo 

 numerous as thofe of the carp or tench ; this extraordi- 

 nary fertility muft therefore be owing to a fmaller nuinber 

 of the young perilhing before they arrive at their adult 

 Hate. 



The roach is fmaller than the bream ; the fliape of the 

 body, like that fifti, is deep and laterally comprelTed, being 

 four inches broad by twelve long. The back is dulky, 

 with a fliade of green ; the belly pale ; the ventral and 

 anal fins are a cinnaber colour, the dorfal and tail fin ha- 

 ving lefs of tlie red f . The fcales are of a filver hue, 

 broad and deciduous, The lateral lines are curvated, and 

 run parallel to the fwell of the belly : The tail is bifur- 

 cated. 



The 



* Cyprlnus Ru'ilus, Lin. Syft. Lcvcifcus, Rondel; 

 f Willough. p. 26a. 



