CARP TRIBE. 
461 
member of the same group is the rudd or red-eye (L. erythopthalmus), of which a 
specimen is represented in the left-hand middle figure of the illustration; this 
species, which ranges all over Europe and Asia, may be distinguished by its scarlet 
lower fins, the general hue of the scales being coppery. The familiar and diminu¬ 
tive minnow ( L. phoxinus) differs from all the foregoing members of this group by 
the incomplete lateral line ; its range being limited to Europe, although it is repre¬ 
sented by an allied species in North America. The habits of all these familiar fish 
are too well known to need notice; but it may be mentioned that several of them 
will interbreed, as they will with species belonging to other genera of the family. 
Tench Representing a genus by itself, the European tench (Tinea 
vulgaris) differs from the white-fish by the presence of a small pair 
of barbels to the mouth; the pharyngeal teeth forming a single series. The small 
tench (& liat. size). 
scales are deeply embedded in the thick skin; there is a complete lateral line; both 
the dorsal and anal fins are short; and the caudal, instead of having the markedly 
forked form characteristic of the roach and its allies, is but slightly emarginate. 
The terminally-situated mouth has its lips moderately developed. Whereas white- 
fish prefer clear running streams, the tench frequents ponds, lakes, and other more 
or less stagnant water; its colour, which is sometimes bronzy golden, and in other 
cases olive-green, with a more or less blackish tinge, is stated to vary with the 
purity or otherwise of the water in which it lives. Tench always keep near or in 
the mud, beneath which they entirely bury themselves during the colder months, 
after the fashion of so many members of the family. A good tench will weigh 
4 lbs., but examples of 5 lbs., and even over, are not very uncommon. It is probably 
owing to the abundant supply of mucus secreted by the skin that the tench was 
considered to be endowed with healing powers. Tench are exceedingly prolific, 
and as they bear transport easily, are admirably adapted for stocking ponds. 
