170 THE ANGLER-NATUKALIST. 



and occasion great pain or irritation. Fish thus affected 

 are called by the fishermen mad Bleak; and as they 

 are observed to be found only where rivers are turbid, it 

 would appear probable that the worms are generated 

 through the foul state of the water. In an article in the 

 'Mirror'* on medical quackery, it is asserted that these 

 tapeworms are used by quack doctors to exhibit in their 

 windows. 



The most certain method of taking Bleak is with a 

 single gentle at the end of a very fine casting-line, used 

 without shot, and with a piece of cork the size of a pea 

 3 or 4 feet above the bait, to serve as a sort of float — a few 

 gentles also being from time to time scattered into the 

 river to attract the fish. The hook should be small enough 

 to be entirely concealed in the gentle. For this fishing 

 a light fly-rod is the most agreeable as well as most 

 effective weapon. 



The Bleak swims usually in large sculls, spawning in 

 May ; its length seldom exceeds 6 or 7 inches. The term 

 Bleak, which has reference to its shining white appearance, 

 is derived from a Northern word signiiying to bleach or 

 whiten, — Blik (Danish), Blick (Swedish and German), 

 ' glance,' ' glimmer.' 



A few dozen Bleak marinated form an excellent break- 

 fast dish. 



Characteristics of the Bleak. — Lengtk of head compared with total 

 length, tail included, (about) as 2 to 9. Depth of bodj- equal to length 



* Vol. i. 1826. 



