CLASS PISCES. 111
I have never been able to obtain a specimen. Although
called a Blue Roach, this fish is really a Blue Rudd.
Leuciscus phoxinus, Fleming. Minnow.
This fish is common in the Stour, the Colne, the Sandon
brook (a feeder of the Chelmer), and probably also in all
other Essex . rivers. Its lively and active habits, and the
readiness with which it may be tamed, make it a desirable
occupant of the aquarium.
Genus TINCA, Cuvier.
Tinca vulgaris, Cuvier. Tench.
A fish well known throughout the county as an inhabitant
of ponds. Yarrell mentions (vol. i., p. 330) several localities
for Essex Tench. It bears removal well, from its extra-
ordinary tenacity of life, and this retentiveness has no doubt
assisted in its general dispersion. There is every reason,
however, for supposing that it is a true native of our larger
rivers. I have had several specimens from the Stour and the
Colne. Others are recorded from the Lea.
As regards the effect of the nature of the water in which
it lives upon the suitability of the Tench for the table, Day
(Fishes of Great Britain, vol. ii., p. 191) gives an instance of
some taken from a fetid muddy pond at Mundon Hall, in this
county, which were of an excellent flavour, while others pro-
cured from clear water at Leighs Priory smelt and tasted so
rank that when dressed no one could eat them.
Genus ABRAMIS, Cuvier.
Abramis brama, Fleming. Lake Bream or Pomeranian
Bream, var.
This is found in considerable numbers in the Essex and
Suffolk Stour, and in some other Essex rivers. The variety
called Pomeranian Bream, is found, according to Day (Fishes
of Great Britain, vol. ii., p. 195), on the authority of Yarrell,