290 
VEND ACE. 
tAventy-foDr examples two only were males. They are said to 
shed their spawn in November, but it is certain that this is 
not always accomplished until the end of the year, for Dr. 
Knox discovered in several which he took in December, that 
while in the larger number the ovaries were small, and, as 
we may suppose, had lately discharged their contents, there 
were two in which the grains were of large size, as if ready 
to be shed. At some seasons it is certain that the sexes 
associate together in one company, for on another occasion, 
in the month of October, of fifteen that were examined nine 
only were females. — (“Zoologist,” June, 1855.) 
It appears that the Vendace is so far of a delicate consti- 
tution that it can exist only in a cold or cool temperature, 
and Nilsson says that it inhabits most of the rivers and lakes 
in the middle and north of Sweden. In our own country it 
is noticed that however active, and even sportive, at other 
times, in the heat of summer they seek shelter in the deeper 
water. The food of this fish was long a matter of uncertainty, 
and in its own neighbourhood it was even supposed to be 
supported by no solid material. It has never been taken 
with a hook; but we owe it to Dr. Knox and Mr. Yarrell 
that we arc now informed of the nature of their food, which 
is the several species of Eritomostraca which abound in these 
waters. The usual method of taking this fish is with a 
sweep-net, which is for the most part used about Julv, 
although, as we have seen, these fish may be taken late in 
the season; and the occasion of employing this net is often 
formed into a festive assembling of the neighbouring gentlemen. 
An example of this fish Avhich I have the pleasure to 
possess, was supplied by the kind attention of the Earl of 
Enniskillen, and I have reason to believe that it is the same 
which is referred to by Mr. Thompson, in his “Nat. Hist, of 
Ireland,” as having been obtained from Sir W. Jardine, Bart. 
It is in length to the fork of the tail five inches and three 
fourths, which is about the usual size; but Dr. Knox has 
seen it nine inches long. 
Besides a skin of this fish Avith which I was favoured from 
the Earl of Enni-skillen, and which was once in the possession 
of Mr. Thompson, I have also been supplied with examples 
by the kindness of Robert Embleton, Esq., from which our 
