92 NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF DUBLIN. 



the Rudd, that the dorsal fin occupies the space opposite to that between 

 the ventral and anal fins. In the vase before you are specimens of 

 Eoaches from a river at Knowsley, Lancashire, from the Liffey, from 

 my ponds, and the Blue Eoach. In all these it will be seen that the 

 fin occupies the position indicated by Yarrell ; hence, instead of being 

 a specific distinction of the Rudd, it is a specific distinction of the Roach. 

 Another specific distinction relied on is the colour of the eyes, eryoph- 

 thalmus, which is described as orange-red. All that I have seen in Ire- 

 land have the irides pale yellow. The only ones I have seen with irides 

 approaching red were sent me alive from the Thames. They are 

 amongst the specimens preserved in spirits. If I am correct in the 

 views laid before you, it follows either that we do not know what is the 

 fish called Roach, or that the names Rudd, Dobule, &c, must vanish 

 from our catalogues as species, and be content to take up their positions 

 simply as varieties of the same fish. As to the Dace, I am uncertain 

 whether it is a variety or a distinct fish. Specimens that were sent me 

 as Dace from Lancashire were Roach. I have others labelled as Dace 

 from different rivers, but until there is time for examination of them I 

 can say no more at present. 



Mr. A. G. More said the fish now exhibited would have been called 

 Rudd in the Isle of Wight. 



Two Moths — Macroglossa stellaterum, and Pygeria bucephala, were 

 presented by Dr. Barker, on the part of John Haughton, Esq., Ardree, 

 Athy, and thanks voted to the donor. 



The President then adjourned the Society for the recess till the first 

 Thursday in November. 



