LEUCISCUS. 185 



GEN. LEUCISCUS 



Roach, — Leuciscus JRutilus. This fish inhab- 

 its the larger class of rivers, and is very excellent 

 for the table. The body seems to be compressed ; 

 — the scales are of considerable size, — the fins 

 tinged with red ; the dorsal opposite the ventrals, 

 and the tail slightly forked. Occasionally they 

 weigh a pound. 



Dace, or Dare, — Leuciscus Vulgaris. This 

 little fish is known wherever the others are. Elev- 

 en rays are found in the anal fin, and ten in the 

 dorsal ; — the length is from six to eight inches. 



These are the usual kinds of fish taken in the 

 rivers in the interior of New Hampshire, Vermont, 

 and Massachusetts, this side of Connecticut river. 

 Prof. Hitchcock, of Amherst College, has polite- 

 ly forwarded to us, specimens of the ivhite and red 

 dace, which appear to be very common in that 

 vicinity. 



We have not been able to procure any that ex- 

 ceed eight inches. Small as they are, they are 

 exceedingly delicate and well tasted. We enter- 

 tain the hope of having an opportunity of investi- 

 gating the fresh water fishes of the interior, in a 

 more particular essay, hereafter. 



Bleak, — Leuciscus Alburnus. This, too, is 



