120 
J. SAUNDERS-FISH OF THE UPPER LEA. 
Species observed in the River Lea below Luton Hoo : 
Bullhead (Cottus gobio, L.). Loach (Nemachilus barbatulus , L.). 
Roach (Leuciscus rutilus, L.). Pike {JEsox lucius, L.).* 
Dace {L. vulgaris, Elem.). Trout (Salmo fario, L.).f 
Minnow {L. phoxinus, L.). Lamprey (P<? tromyzonfluviatilis , L.). 
Species observed in Luton Hoo Lake : 
Perch {Perea fluviatilis, L.). Pike ( Esox lucius, L.). 
Roach ( Leuciscus rutilus, L.). Trout {Salmo fario, L.). 
Rudd {L. erythrophthalmus , L.). Eel {Anguilla vulgaris, Elem.). 
Tench {Tinea vulgaris, Cuv.). L&my>Yvy{Petromyzonfluviatilis flCi). 
Species observed in the River Lea north of Luton : 
Bullhead {Cottus gobio, L.). Dace {Leuciscus vulgaris, Elem.). 
Three-spined Stickleback Minnow {L. phoxinus, L.). 
{Gastrosteus aculeatus, L.). Loach {Nemachilus barbatulus , L.). 
Ten-spined {G. pungitius, L.). L&wpiQj^Petromyzonfluviatilis, L.). 
During the latter part of the Summer of 1894 a great mortality 
befel the fish of Luton Hoo lake, especially the pike, which are 
always numerous and often attain a large size. This appears to 
have been mainly due to the ravages of the fungus Saprolegnia ferax, 
which also attacked other fish, but was strangely fatal to the pike. 
I remember seeing in the lake many perch which showed signs of 
the disease caused by this fungus, as well as numerous large pike 
floating dead on the surface. Although this disease was the 
proximate cause of the destruction of the fish, the pollution of 
the water by the sewage from Luton undoubtedly rendered them 
unhealthy and thus particularly susceptible to its attacks. 
By the courtesy of the fishkeeper, Mr. Groom, I have been 
permitted to examine the records kept at Luton Hoo which refer 
to this matter, and I find that, between the 27th of August and 
the 10th of September, 395 dead pike were taken from the lake, the 
greatest number in any one day being 85 on Sept. 1st. Samples 
of the water for analysis were taken on Sept. 7th and 11th, and as 
the result of representations made to the authorities of Luton an 
improved system of sewage-disposal was carried out, and there has 
been no recurrence of a similar mortality. In the boat-house at 
Luton Hoo there is a photograph of several pike which were taken 
from the lake during the period referred to, and from the gruesome 
spectacle which they present there is no wonder that the lord of 
the manor sought a remedy. 
Occasionally. 
f Introduced. 
