FISHES served in the ' fish house ' there. I took one in the Ouse at Clapham in July, 1 900, weighing over 2 lb. One of 2 lb. 2 oz. and one of if lb. were taken by Mr. A. R. Lindley at Great Barford, June 23, 1898. A roach weighing 3^ lb. was caught in the Ouse at Bedford, September 2, 1872, by Mr. J. Savage. 10. Rudd. Leuciscus erythrophthabnus, Linn. This fish is not nearly so common as the roach. It is occasionally met with up to 1 £ lb. I took one of that weight a few years ago at Clapham. One 2 lb. weight was caught, March, 1901, near Sandy, by Mr. A. Rylett {Field, March 16, 1 901). A rudd weighing 2 lb. 6 oz. was taken in the Ouse by Mr. H. Thody, September, 1875 : length 1 5^ inches, girth 12 inches. 11. Dace. Leuciscus clobula, Linn. It frequents the clear and rapid waters of the river and swiftly running brooks, and is a gregarious fish, varying in weight to about fib. 12. Bleak. Leuciscus alburnus, Linn. Found in all parts of the river in large numbers near the surface. 13. Minnow. Leuciscus phoxinus, Linn. Found in shoals in most of the shallow gravelly parts of the river and in the various brooks. It appears to be plentiful at times in certain parts of the river, and then to change its locality, appearing again in other parts where it was formerly comparatively scarce. This is probably caused by the frequent changes in the scour of the sandy beds of the stream produced by heavy floods. A minnow 4 inches in length, girth z inches, was caught at Clapham Ford, May 3, 1881. 14. Tench. Tinea vulgaris, Cuv. Although more frequently found in lakes and ponds, it is present in the Ouse in the deep parts of the river. It attains a weight of 4^ lb. to 5 lb. One was taken by myself of 4^ lb. at Blunham Mill in the Ivel in June, 1897, and two were taken in Southill lake in June, 1897, weighing 5 lb. and 4f lb., and are in the possession of Mr. J. Steele- Elliott. 15. Bream. Abramis brama, Linn. The Ouse is considered one of the best bream rivers in England, and Bedfordshire is always held particularly famous for this fish. It is found in large numbers in all deep parts of the river, and attains a large size. One of 9 lb. was taken at Bromham in 1898, and many are taken every season of from 4 to 5 lb. Whilst proving the right of the lord of the manor a brace were netted from the Ivel at Blunham Mill pit, July 16, 1882. One weighed io£ lb., and passed into the possession of Mr. P. Addington, and the other, weighing 9^ lb., is now in the posses- sion of Mr. George at Tempsford. The largest recorded is one of 12^ lb. taken at Southill in June, 1897, when the lake was accidentally drawn off, and is remarkable as being the only one found in the lake. It was presented to Mr. J. Steele-Elliott, who has it preserved. 16. Loach. Cobitis barbatulus, Linn. Found more in brooks than in the river itself, secreting itself under stones. It used to be common in a brook, now partially filled up, near the Midland Station, Bedford. APODES 17. Eel. Anguilla vulgaris, Turt. Found in large numbers in all parts of the rivers, especially in the Ouse, where it has been a source of profit from a very early date. The eel grows to a great weight ; the heaviest appear to come from the upper parts of the Ouse near Olney, and Lavendon in Bucks. One of 9 lb. was taken at Roxton Sluice about 1880. It has long been a matter of doubt where they breed ; but they are now known to go down to the sea to spawn in deep water. I have noticed them in the latter part of the summer at the side of the Ouse near Bromham as small threadlike specimens of about an inch or more in length. Countless numbers of ' elvers,' which are very small, ascend some rivers as the Thames, Exe and Severn, where their annual migration in the spring is termed the 'eel-fare' or ' travel.' CYCLOSTOMES 18. Lampern. Petromyzon fluviatilis, Linn. bery that he has taken it at Milton Mill on This is mentioned in Davis's History of the Ouse. Luton, and I am informed by Mr. F. New- Note. — I am indebted to Mr. J. Steele-Elliott of Clent, Worcestershi notes and other information contained in the above paper. IOI for many interesting
