PLATE LXXVII. 
The Dace delights in clear streams, or in deep and still rivers, where 
it subsists chiefly on worms. In summer it is remarkable lively, and 
is frequently observed sporting near the surface of the water. The 
Dace is the prey of all the larger and more voracious fishes that inha- 
bit fresh waters ; but the perch and jack are its greatest enemies. 
This is a prolific fish, multiplying prodigiously : the spawning time is 
in June, when it deposits its eggs at the roots of aquatic plants, under 
stones, or in the gravelly beds of rivers. Although the flesh of the 
Dace is palatable and wholesome, it is held in very little esteem. 
The ordinary size of this fish seldom exceeds four, five, or six inches, 
those of eight or ten inches are uncommon. In France they are some- 
times found a foot in length ; and Bloch informs us, it has been taken 
in England eighteen inches in length, but on what authority we are 
not informed. Pennant speaks of one that weighed a pound and a 
half. The largest we have seen were caught in the river Thames, 
and did not exceed the length of twelve inches. 
This elegant species of Cyprinus appears abundantly common in 
the early part of the summer in many of the English rivers. We sus- 
pect it to be less plentiful on the Continent than with us, except in 
France, and the southern parts of Germany. It occurs also in 
Siberia. 
In our specimen the pectoral fin contains eighteen rays : ventral 
nine rays : and tail twenty-two rays. 
