OP FISHES. 
237 
TENCH. 
The Tench is considered to be among the 
best of the fresh water tribe. Its body is 
thick and short, and in length it seldom 
exceeds ten inches ; the back, as well as the 
ventral and dorsal fins, is of a dusky colour; 
the sides and belly arc greenish, tinged with 
gold; the tail is somewhat rounded; the 
scales, which are covered with slime, arc 
small; the anal fin has twenty-five rays; at 
each corner of the mouth there is a small 
beard. The weight of the Tench varies 
from two to ten pounds. It is particularly 
partial to still waters, in the muddy parts 
of ponds, where it can shelter among weeds, 
flags, &c. 
