FISHES 
served in the ‘fish house’ there. I took one 
in the Ouse at Clapham in July, 1900, 
weighing over 2 lb. One of 2 lb. 2 oz. and 
one of 1? lb. were taken by Mr. A. R. 
Lindley at Great Barford, June 23, 1898. 
A roach weighing 34 lb. was caught in the 
Ouse at Bedford, September 2, 1872, by 
Mr. J. Savage. 
10. Rudd. Leuciscus erythrophthalmus, Linn. 
This fish is not nearly so common as the 
roach. It is occasionally met with up to 
13 lb. I took one of that weight a few 
years ago at Clapham. One 2 |b. weight 
was caught, March, 1901, near Sandy, by 
Mr. A. Rylett (Field, March 16, 1901). 
A rudd weighing 2 lb. 6 oz. was taken in 
the Ouse by Mr. H. Thody, September, 
1875: length 154 inches, girth 12 inches. 
11. Dace. Leuciscus dobula, Linn. 
It frequents the clear and rapid waters of 
the river and swiftly running brooks, and is a 
gregarious fish, varying in weight to about 
3 Ib. 
12. Bleak. Leuciscus alburnus, Linn. 
Found in all parts of the river in large 
numbers near the surface. 
13. Minnow.  Leuciscus phoxinus, Linn. 
Found in shoals in most of the shallow 
gravelly parts of the river and in the various 
brooks. It appears to be plentiful at times in 
certain parts of the river, and then to change 
its locality, appearing again in other parts 
where it was formerly comparatively scarce. 
This is probably caused by the frequent 
changes in the scour of the sandy beds of the 
stream produced by heavy floods. A minnow 
4 inches in length, girth 24 inches, was 
caught at Clapham Ford, May 3, 1881. 
14. Tench. Tinca vulgaris, Cuv. 
Although more frequently found in lakes 
and ponds, it is present in the Ouse in the 
deep parts of the river. It attains a weight 
of 44 lb. to 5 lb. One was taken by myself 
of 44 lb. at Blunham Mill in the Ivel in 
June, 1897, and two were taken in Southill 
lake in June, 1897, weighing § lb. and 42 lb., 
and are in the possession of Mr. J. Steele- 
Elliott. 
15. Bream. <Abramis brama, Linn. 
The Ouse is considered one of the best 
bream rivers in England, and Bedfordshire is 
always held particularly famous for this fish. 
It is found in large numbers in all deep parts 
of the river, and attains a large size. One 
of 9 lb. was taken at Bromham in 1898, and 
many are taken every season of from 4 to . 
5 lb. Whilst proving the right of the lord 
of the manor a brace were netted from the 
Ivel at Blunham Mill pit, July 16, 1882. 
One weighed 10} lb., and passed into the 
possession of Mr. P. Addington, and the 
other, weighing 9? lb., is now in the posses- 
sion of Mr. George at Tempsford. The 
largest recorded is one of 12} lb. taken at 
Southill in June, 1897, when the lake was 
accidentally drawn off, and is remarkable as 
being the only one found in the lake. It 
was presented to Mr. J. Steele-Elliott, who 
has it preserved. 
16. Loach. Cobitis barbatulus, Linn. 
Found more in brooks than in the river 
itself, secreting itself under stones. It used 
to be common in a brook, now partially filled 
up, near the Midland Station, Bedford. 
APODES 
17. Eel. Anguilla vulgaris, Turt. 
Found in large numbers in all parts of the 
rivers, especially in the Ouse, where it has 
been a source of profit from a very early date. 
The eel grows to a great weight ; the heaviest 
appear to come from the upper parts of the 
Ouse near Olney, and Lavendon in Bucks. 
One of 9 lb. was taken at Roxton Sluice 
about 1880. It has long been a matter of 
doubt where they breed; but they are now 
known to go down to the sea to spawn in 
deep water. I have noticed them in the 
latter part of the summer at the side of the 
Ouse near Bromham as small _threadlike 
specimens of about an inch or more in length. 
Countless numbers of ‘ elvers,’ which are very 
small, ascend some rivers as the Thames, Exe 
and Severn, where their annual migration in 
the spring is termed the ‘ eel-fare’ or ‘ travel.’ 
CYCLOSTOMES 
18. Lampern. Petromyzon fluviatilis, Linn. 
This is mentioned in Davis’s History of 
Luton, and I am informed by Mr. F. New- 
bery that he has taken it at Milton Mill on 
the Ouse. 
Norz.—I am indebted to Mr. J. Steele-Elliott of Clent, Worcestershire, for many interesting 
notes and other information contained in the above paper. 
IOI 
