caught in great quantities in a few private ponds and lakes. They were without doubt present in the Thames some years ago, but being easily captured have perhaps been ex- terminated.
11 . Dace. Leudscus dobula, Linn. (L. vulgaris, Day).
As we descend the Thames these fish, which are somewhat scarce in the upper reaches, become more plentiful, but in Buck- inghamshire they by no means rival the roach in numbers, nor do they grow to a very re- markable size. In the Colne they run to a better average size than in the Thames, and rise more readily to the fly.
12. Chub. Leudscus cephalus, Linn.
These are river fish and are fairly plentiful in the Thames, but less so in the Colne and the Thame. They grow to a considerable size in the Thames and also in the Ouse. In the former the steam traffic and the anglers together have decimated them ; and whereas in former years an angler with a fly would often take 40 lb. weight of these fish in a day he now deems himself fortunate if he secures a bag of 10 or 15 lb. These fish run up to about 5 lb. in weight, and are most numerous in the Buckinghamshire por- tion of the Thames between Remenham and Maidenhead.
13. Minnow. Leudscus phoxinus, Linn.
All the rivers of any importance in the county contain minnows, which, strange to say, are rapidly decreasing in numbers in the Thames. It is believed that the cause of this is the steam traffic, as it cannot be said that they have either been poached or caught in too great numbers by anglers. The Colne minnows are finer than those found in the Thames.
14. Tench. Tinea vulgarlis Cuv.
Tench are found in the Thames, the Colne, the Thame and the Ouse, but are more plentiful in ponds and lakes, and more frequently caught in still waters. Those from the Thames are considered excellent eating ; but they are a shy fish, not easily captured, and therefore not much sought after. Those which are taken from the Thames generally vary from 1lb. 104 Ib. in weight.
15. Bream. Abramis brama, Linn.
Are extremely scarce in the upper reaches of the Buckinghamshire portions of the Thames, but get more frequent as we approach the tideway. A few were turned in below Henley by the Henley Fishery Association, and some of these are occasion- ally caught. One was taken in 1902 be- tween Marlow and Henley weighing 6 Ib.
16. Bleak. Alburnus luddus, Heck, and Kner.
These are quite common fish in the Thames. They are little sought after ex- cept by children, their only use being as bait for Thames trout, pike and large perch. The Thames probably produces greater numbers of these fish than any river in England. From their scales was formerly obtained the silvery matter used in the manufacture of artificial pearls.
17. Loach. Nemachilus barbatulus, Linn.
Loach are found in the rivers and brooks in the county, but it cannot be regarded as a common fish except in certain localities.
18. Spined Loach. Cobitis tænia, Linn. In Bucks and in England generally this fish is both local and rare. In The Field of 31 January, 1902, the Rev. J. P. Langley of Olney, north Bucks, stated that he had caught a specimen, which he kept for some time in his aquarium.
MALACOPTERYGII
19. Trout (Brown Trout). Salmo fario, Linn.
Very large sums of money have been spent in turning trout into the Thames, and now that the manner in which it should be done is better known the results should be still more satisfactory. At the Anglers' Hotel at Great Marlow are splendid specimens of Thames trout which have been caught in the district. It does not appear that these fish breed in the Thames to any extent, and the brooks up which they might run to breed are extremely few in number. The Thames therefore has for the most part to rely for its trout on the restocking operations mentioned. Like the Thames the Colne is noted for the fine trout it produces.
20. Rainbow Trout. Salmo irideus, Gibbons.
This fish has been introduced into the Thames comparatively recently, and it is difficult to say yet whether it will remain in its new quarters. As fish culturists find it a somewhat easier fish to rear and breed than Salmo fario it is possible that it may breed in the Thames to a greater extent than the native trout.
21. Grayling. Thymallus vulgaris, Nilss.
This is a very uncommon fish in the county. One straying from a Berkshire tributary is occasionally found in the Thames.
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