288 NOTES ON FISH AND PISHIKG. 



in water of medium depth outside lines of overhanging 

 boughs. 



Chub grow quickly, but seldom attain the weight of 

 barbel, carp, or even bream. On the Continent ten-pound 

 fish are to be met with, but I doubt whether there is a 

 chub of this weight in her gracious Majesty's dominions. 

 Seven pounds would probably be the highest weight they 

 attain here ; and in the Thames, which is perhaps as good 

 a chub river as we have, I would venture to say that there 

 are not a score of seven-pounders between Teddington 

 and Cricklade. A six -pound fish is a veritable prize for an 

 angler, and a five-pounder a great triumph. Piscator may 

 be well content with one of 4 lbs. As regards the 

 Thames, I fancy that there are not nearly so many or so 

 large chub as there were twenty-five years ago, when a five 

 or six pounder was not the rarity it now is. This, I think, 

 is partly to be accounted for by the increase of rowing- 

 boats on the river, and especially of the anglers' abomi- 

 nations, the steam launches. The chub is essentially a 

 shy fish, and will not flourish where he is much disturbed. 

 Perhaps, too, the stock is kept down by the increased 

 number of anglers who make the chub their special 

 quarry. The fact, however, is to be noted as a singular 

 one, for I believe that this is the only kind of fish 

 which in the Thames has decreased in numbers of late 

 years. 



The gastronomical paragraph now follows in due course, 

 but it shall be a short one, for in my previous denuncia- 

 tions of several of our " coarse " fish as articles of food I 

 have, by anticipation, condemned the chub. I am ready, 

 as I have shown myself, to support the chub against his 

 nicknamers and the detractors of his outward person; 



