CARP AND TENCH. 297 



were taken out of Munden Hall Fleet, Essex, which was so 

 thick with weeds that the flue-nets could hardly be sunk through 

 them, and where the mud was intolerably fcetid and had dyed 

 the fish of its own hue, which was that of ink ; yet no tench 

 could be better grown, or of a sweeter flavour.' . . . ' In a 

 clear pond at Leigh's Priory a quantity of tench were caught of 

 about 3 lbs. weight each, of a colour the most golden and 

 beautiful ; but when dressed and brought to table they smelt 

 and tasted so rankly that no one would eat them.' .By washing 

 the slime off the fish with warm water before copking the 

 muddy taste is said to be removed. 



Walton says the tench ' eat pleasantly ' and form a desirable 

 addition to the cuisine, — also the dictum of the late Mr. Grantley 

 Berkeley, whose experience of tench in stew ponds I have already 

 referred to. Indeed, it is stated that in extensive tracts of 

 water near Yarmouth tench are still bred in large quantities as 

 a marketable commodity, being fattened, until fit for the table, 

 upon a mixture of greaves and meal. 



Characteristics of the Common Carp. — Body covered with 

 large scales, in about twelve rows between ventrals and back 

 fin ; a single very long back fin. Lips fleshy. Mouth small, 

 and without teeth. Throat-teeth in three rows on each side, 

 the inner row composed of three with broad flat crowns which 

 are furrowed, somewhat resembling those of ruminating ani- 

 mals. Two barbels or beards at each corner of the mouth. 

 First back-fin, ray, short and bony ; the second also bony, 

 notched on the posterior surface, as likewise the first ray of the 

 anal fin. Tail deeply forked. Colouring, generally, golden 

 olive-brown, head darkest ; belly, yellowish-white ; fins, dark 

 brown. Scales covered with a thick mucus or epidermis. 

 Vertebrae 36. 



Finrays : D. 22 ; P. 17 ; V. 9 ; A. 8 ; C. 19. 



Characteristics of the Common Tench.- — Length of head 

 compared to total length of body, excluding tail, as 2 to 7. 

 Head rather large and blunt. Mouth small, toothless, with a 

 small barbel at each corner. Throat -teeth in a single row on 



