122 
TJie Scottish Naturalist. 
Tinea vulgaris, Cuvier, the Tench. This fish is found only 
in the vicinity of the mouth of the River Endrick, and in a small 
pond near the Charcoal Works at Balmaha. All the examples 
taken from the loch were captured by ground baits, and the 
largest which has come under my observation weighed 6 lbs. 
This fish is probably scarce, but from its sedentary habits, and its 
being only captured by a method of angling now little practised, 
we cannot be positive on this point. In England the tench 
spawns in June and July, shedding its ova upon weeds and sticks. 
It is said that the spawning female is invariably attended by two 
males. 
LeuciscUS rutilus, Litmc, the Roach or Braize. The 
roach is very common in the shallower parts of the loch, in the 
upper reaches of the Leven, and in the Endrick. It is a gregari- 
ous fish and attains a fair size, the maximum being probably about 
2 lbs. 
The roach spawns in the loch in June, depositing its eggs on 
stones in shallow bays, and it is probable that the young hatch out 
very quickly, as I have taken them about ij inches long in July. 
Parnell, however, says that they ascend the streams tributary to 
Eoch Lomond to spawn, and that in such vast numbers that they 
are taken in thousands in baskets and nets by the people inhabit- 
ing the banks of these streams. The Rev. David Ure, in a statis- 
tical account of the parish of Killearn^ corroborates this story as 
far as the Endrick is concerned. 
I have made diligent inquiry of gamekeepers and villagers, and 
others in the Vale of Endrick on this subject, without eliciting any 
information ; no one whom I have questioned having ever heard 
of such a phenomenon. On the opposite side of the loch, where 
I have resided for many years, I am certain that no such 
migrations take place, although the roach is as abundant in that 
locality as in any other part of the loch. 
LeuciscuS phoxinus, Li?me, the Minnow. This fish is very 
abundant, frequenting the loch in large shoals, and the lower 
reaches of the streams in lesser numbers. The minnows spawn 
in May and June, principally, as I believe, in the loch, depositing 
their ova on stones and gravel in the shallow bays. They generally 
spawn in pairs or three together (probably two males and one 
female), but occasionally I have observed them performing this 
function gregariously in common. During the spawning time the 
