226 
NATURAL IIISTORY 
BREAM. 
The Bream is a broad fish, with a small 
head and sharp snout; the top of the head 
is pretty broad and smooth ; the back 
bending, edged, and rising sensibly front 
the head like a sow’s ; its back is betwixt 
blue and black; its sides and belly white, 
especially in those that arc young and lean; 
those that are full grown and fat, have sides 
of a golden colour ; the belly is red. They 
seldom exceed four pounds in weight. It 
has a very small mouth in proportion to its 
size, and no teeth ; its palate is soft and 
fleshy, like that of the carp; its flesh soli 
and clammy. Breams arc very common in 
rivers, pools, and fish-ponds, in the month 
of May they spawn. The males at this 
time have white spots about the head. 
