THE TENCH. 
285 
and none at all for a week afterwards, the fish having been aronsed to a sense of their danger, 
and declining to meddle with anything that looks as if it might hide a hook. Even the net, 
that is so effectual with most fish, is often useless against the ready wiles of the Carp, which 
will sometimes bury itself in the mud as the ground line approaches, so as to allow the net to 
pass over it ; or, if the ground be too hard for such a manoeuvre, will shoot boldly from the 
bottom of the water, leap over the upper edge of the net, and so escape into the water beyond. 
A fine Carp, say of six or seven pounds, is a truly handsome fish, its large shining scales 
lying on its body in the most beautiful regularity, and gleaming with olive-brown washed with 
gold. The abdomen is white, with a tinge of yellow. 
The beautiful Gold-fish ( Qyprinus aurdtus ), so familiar as a pet and so elegant as it 
moves round the glass globe in which it is usually kept, is another member of this large and 
important genus. It seems to have been brought from China, and has almost acclimatized 
itself to the cold seasons of some countries. Its habits and splendid clothing are too well 
known to need description. 
Another well-known member of the same genus is the Barbel, a fine but not brilliant 
fish, which is common in many of the European rivers. 
STAR-GAZER. — Anableps tetrophthalmus. 
This fish may easily be known, from the four fleshy appendages, called beards or 
barbules, which hang from the head, two being placed on the nose and the other two at 
each angle of the mouth. It is one of the mud-loving fish, grubbing with its nose in the 
soft banks for the purpose of unearthing the aquatic larvae of various insects which make 
their home in such places, and being, in all probability, aided by its barbules in its search 
after food. The Barbel is sometimes so deeply occupied in rooting about the bank, that an 
accomplished swimmer may dive to the bed of the river, feel for the Barbel along the banks, 
and bring it to the surface in his bare hand. 
The Tehch prefers the slowest and muddiest rivers, and thriving well in ponds and 
lakes, or even clay pits. ISTo water, indeed, seems to be too thick, muddy, or even fetid, 
for the Tench to inhabit, and it is rather curious that in such cases, even where the 
fishermen could scarcely endure the stench of the mud adhering to their nets, the fish 
were larger sized and of remarkably sweet flavor. 
In the winter months the Tench is said to bury itself in the mud, and there to remain, in 
a semi-torpid condition, until the succeeding spring calls it again to life and action. The color 
of the Tench is greenish -olive, darker above than below, and with a fine golden wash. 
