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British Museum (Natural Histor;>^ Dept. of Zoology

Guide to the British fresh- water fishes

GUIDE

TO THE

BRITISH FRESH -WATER FISHES

EXHIBITED IN THE

DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY

BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY),

CKOMWELL ROAD,. LONDON, S.W.

WITH , VENTY-THREE ILLUSTRATIU

LONDON PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE

BRITISH MUSEUM 1917

PRICE SIXPENCE.

2v

PRESENTED

HY

The Trustees

OK

THE BRITISH MUSEUM.

-Z.oo\

GUIDE

TO THE

BRITISH FRESH -WATER FISHES

EXHIBITED IN THE

DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY

BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY),

CEOMWELL EOAD, LONDON, S.W.

WITH TWENTY-THREE ILLUSTRATIONS

LONDON FEINTED BY OEDEE OF THE TEUSTEES OF THE

BEITISH MUSEUM

1917

{All rights reserved.)

LIINUOX : PRIXItU IIY WIU-IAM CLOWLS AND SONS. LIMITED, DIKE STREET, STAMKOKD STHEET, S.E., AND OKEAT WINDMILL STREET,

(StL

PREFACE.

The present Guide to the British Fresh-water Fishes has been written by Mr. C. Tate Began, M.A., who has given much atten- tion to the improvement of the exhibit during the last few years. The small collection to which it furnishes explanatory notes is exhibited at the extreme western end of the Bird Gallery, on the Ground Floor of the western wing of the building. The following pages contain particulars of the fishes exhibited, when these are of interest, and give a brief account of the characteristic features and distribution of each species, with an indication of the size that may be attained by individual specimens. Fuller information will be found in Mr. Eegan's work, "British Fresh- water Fishes."* Most of the specimens are recent acquisitions, but some of them are old ones which have been re-modelled and re-painted. Several of the new specimens have been received as the result of an appeal to anglers for specimen fish, kindly inserted in " The Fishing Gazette" by the Editor, Mr. E. B. Marston.

The successful and artistic models of the Minnow, Stickleback and Gudgeon are the work of the donor, Mr. F. Page. Nearly all the rest of the exhibited specimens have been prepared by Mr. A. Fieldsend in the Museum. The series of photographs of scales are the work of Mr. J. A. Milne, who presented them.

In addition to the above, the thanks of the Trustees are due to Messrs. J. Andrews, F. Barker, F. E. Graham, J. A. Hutton, E. Kempsey, W. E. Park, and A. P. Zerfass, for gifts of specimens which have been used in the preparation of the exhibition.

SIDNEY F. HAEMEE,

Keeper of Zoology, British Museum (Natuead Histoky),

Cromwell Road, London, S.W.

January 29th, 1917.

* London. Methueu and Co., 1911, price 6s.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Fig	. 1.
))	2.
J J	3.
11	4.
.,	5.
.,	6.
n	7.
J»	8.
91	9.
?)	10.
1»	11.
••	12.
	IH.
»)	14.
!)	15.
))	16.
M	17.
n	18.
1)	19.
M	20.
ij	21.
)j	22,
M	23

PAGE

Diagrammatic Figures of Perch and Trout .... 8

Sea Lamprey 9

Mouth and Suctorial Disc of Sea Lamprey and Lampern 9

Sturgeon 10

Salmon Parr and Young Trout ... .... 12

Scale of Salmon 13

Lough Melvin Char 15

Lochmaben Vendace 16

Shannon Pollan 17

Heads of Houting and Schelly 17

Twaite Shad 19

Anterior Branchial Arch of Twaite Shad and Allis

Shad 19

Metamorphosis of Eel 21

Pharyngeals of Chub 22

Scale of Rudd 23

Crucian Carp 25

Minnow 26

Chub 27

Dace 27

Roach 28

Rudd 29

Bream 30

Ruffe 33

BRITISH FEESH-WATER FISHES.

INTRODUCTION.

The British Fresh-water Fishes are exhibited in the British Saloon at the far end of the Bird Gallery. On entering the Saloon from the Bird Gallery the visitor turns sharply to the right and finds the fishes facing him, occupying two adjacent wall-cases. In the limited space available it has been impossible to adhere strictly lo a systematic arrangement, but the general plan is that the Sturgeon and the Salmonoids occupy the case on the right and the Cyprinoids that on the left ; the other families, which together include but a small proportion of the species, are placed above, below and to the left of the Cyprinoids. Each specimen exhibited is provided with a number, and these numbers are repeated in the Guide.

Many of our fresh-water fishes spend part of their life in the sea ; some of these, such as the Stickleback, both feed and breed in either fresh or salt water ; others, like the Salmon, feed in the sea and breed in the rivers, whilst the Eel, on the contrary, descends to the sea to breed. Marine fishes that ascend rivers may form perumnent fresh-water colonies, and in time these may become distinct races or even species. All the fresh-water fishes peculiar to the British Isles, such as the Char and Whitefish of different lakes, and the Killarney Shad, are closely related to marine fishes that spawn in fresh water. On the otlier hand, our Perch, Pike, Roach, Bream, etc.. are true fresh-water fishes ; they and their relatives are found only in fresh water. All our fishes of this type are found also on the continent of Europe, and as they cannot cross the sea it is evident that they reached our islands at a time when the latter were joined to the continent and our eastern rivers were, in all probability, tributaries of the Rhine.

The accompanying figures of the Perch and Trout (fig. 1) are intended to iUustrate some of the differences used in characterising the families. In the Trout the maxillary bones form part of the upper border of the mouth, but in the Perch the praemaxillaries exclude them from the oral margin. In the Trout the pelvic fins are abdominal, far behind the pectorals ; in the Perch they are

8

Guide to the British Fresh- Water Fishes

thoracic, below the pectorals. In the Trout all the fin-rays are tiexible, jointed and branched ; in the Perch some of the rays are stiff pointed spines.

pmx

J3mx

Fig. 1.— Diageammatic Figures of Perch (A) and Trout (B).

jpmx, praemaxillary ; mx, maxillary ; op, operculum ; d, dorsal fin ; d', spinous dorsal fin ; d", soft dorsal fin ; ad, adipose fin ; c, caudal fin ; a, anal fin ; pv, pelvic fin ; p, pectoral fin.

PETEOMYZONIDAE.

This family includes about twenty species from the coasts and rivers of all temperate regions ; some of these feed in the sea, but all breed in fresh water.

The Lampreys resemble Eels in form, but differ from them widely in structure ; the most notable external differences from other fishes are that the mouth is surrounded by an expanded circular lip, the suctorial disc, which bears horny teeth, and that there is a series of seven small gill-openings on each side. There are no jaws, but there is a very muscular protrusible tongue, also furnished with horny teeth.

Lampreys attach themselves by means of the suctorial disc to other fishes and devour them, sucking the blood and scraping off

Petromyzo7iidac 9

the tiesh. They breed in the sprhig or early summer, when they make a sort of nest by clearing the stones away from a circular or oval space ; the eggs are shed in the sand at the bottom of the

Pio. 2. Sea IjAmtrkv.

nest and develop into a larva [Aniiitocoefes), which has neither suctorial disc nor teeth, and lives in the sand like a worm ; these larvae are called Prides. After three or four years of larval life, when the Prides are 4 to 6 inches long, the metamorphosis into the adult form takes place.

I. Sea Lamprey, Pctromyzon marinus (fig. 2). — This species has the suctorial disc completely covered with series of teeth (fig. 3a) ; its marbled or spotted coloration is also distinctive. It

Fig. .3. — Mouth and Suctorial Disc of (A) Sea Lamprey and

(B) Lampern.

attains a length of 3 feet and a weight of 5 lbs. or more. It occurs on both sides of the North Atlantic and in the Mediterranean, preying upon Cod, Mackerel, etc. In the spring or summer the

lo Guide to tJic British Frcsh-Watcr FisJics

sexually mature individuals migrate into tlie rivers to spawn, after which they die. The specimen exhibited, 3i inches long, is from the Severn.

2. Lampern or River Lamprey, Lanqjetrafinviatilis. — This is placed in a genus distinct from that of the Sea Lamprey on account of differences in the dentition of the disc and tongue (fig. 3). It is not spotted or marbled, and does not grow to a length of more than 16 inches. It inhabits the coasts and rivers of Europe, Northern Asia and Western North America; it resembles the Sea Lamprey in habits, but is more alnindant. In some rivers, such as the Trent, a considerable proportion of the Lamperns do not migrate to the sea after metamorphosis, but pass their whole Hfe in fresh water.

3. Brook Lamprey or Planer's Lamprey , Lamjyctra 2)laneri. — Tliis is very similar to tlie preceding species, but it has blunter teeth, and the edges of llie disc are more strongly fringed ; the dorsal fins are continuous, whereas in the Lampern they are separated liy an interspace. This species ranges Irom Europe tlirough Northern Asia to Japan ; it is found in small streams and ditches, never goes to the sea, and grows but little, if at all, after the metamorphosis, reaching a length of only 6 or 7 inches.

ACIPENSERIDAE.

This family inhabits the seas and rivers of Europe, Asia and North America. The produced snout, with a transverse series of four barbels in front of the small protractile mouth, the longi- tudinal rows of bony plates on the body, and fli(> upturned tail are cbaractoristic.

4. Sturg-eon, Acipenscr stuiin (fig. 4). — The Sturgeon occurs on the cuasis of eastern North America and of Eui'ope from

Fig. 4. — Sturgeox.

Scandinavia to the Black Sea; it ascends rivers to spawn, but those that enter British rivers mav be regarded as stragglers, as

Salmonidae 1 1

it is doubtful if this fish breeds in our waters. It attains a length of 18 feet. It feeds on small invertebrates, stirring up the sand or mud with its snout and feeling for them with its barbels. A specimen 6 feet long is exhibited ; it was taken in the Thames before 1855, in which year it was presented by the Zoological Society.

SALMONIDAE.

The Salmonidae are soft-rayed fishes with the pelvic fins far behind the pectorals, and vvith the non-protractile moutii bordered aliove by the praemaxillaries in the middle and the maxillaries at tlie sides ; they are distinguished from other British fresh-water fishes, except the closely related Osmeridae, by the presence of an adipose fin — a small fleshy rayless tin placed on the hinder part of the back. These features are illustrated in the diagTammatic figure of a Trout on p. 8 (fig. 1b). This is a northern family ; many of the species are marine, but ascend rivers to breed ; others are permanently estalDlished in lakes or rivers. The British Salmonidae belong to four genera, which may be shortly characterized as follows : —

1. Salmo (Salmon and Trout). — Mouth rather large ; a double

or zig-zag series of teeth along the vomer (in the middle of the roof of the moutli) present, at least in the young ; dorsal fin i-elatively short, of 10 to 16 rays.

2. Salvelinus (Char). — Differs from Salmo in that vomerine

teeth are present only as a group at the anterior end of the bone, which is raised and has a boat-shaped depres- sion behind it.

8. Goregonus (Powan, Vendace, etc.). — Differs from Salvio in having the mouth small, without or with minute teeth.

4. Thijmallus (Grayling). — Mouth small ; dorsal fin long, of 18 to 24 rays.

5 — 12. Salmon, Salmo .^.a/ar. -This important fish is too well known to need much description, but it is very closely related to the Trout, and it is not always easy to distinguish between them. In the Salmon the dorsal tin usually has more branched rays (10 to 12) than in the Trout (8 to 10), the scales on the tail number 10 to 13 in an oblique series from the adipose tin to the lateral line (13 to 16 in the Trout), the maxillary is shorter, even in large fish not extending far beyond the eye, and the tail is more constricted at the base of the caudal fin, which is more

I 2 Guide to the British Fresh- Water Fishes

emarginate than in Trout of the same size, although in old fish it may he truncate.

The Salmon is found on both sides of the North Atlantic, ranging from Hudson Bay, Greenland, Iceland and Northern Europe to Cape Cod and the Bay of Biscay. The size attained varies according to locality ; a fish of 84 lbs. has been recorded from the Tay. Salmon feed on Herrings, Mackerel, Sand-eels, etc., and ascend rivers only for breeding purposes. Spawning takes place in the autumn or winter, the female fish scooping out a trougli in which she deposits the eggs and then covers them

Fnjui a photoijraiM ['"J J- -4- Hutton, E.iij.

Fig. 5.— Salmon Parr (lower figure) and young Trout (upper figure).

Note the shorter maxillary, fewer spots, more slender tail and more deeply notched caudal fin of the Salmon.

with gravel. The young fish live in fresh water and are known as Parr (fig. 5). When they are about 6 inches long and usually two years old the PaiT lose the large bluish spots or bars on the sides called Parr-marks, become very silvery, and are now termed Smolts. The Smolts migrate to the sea, usually in May, and grow very rapidly ; they may return to fresh water after about a year in the sea as Grilse, weighing from Ih to 10 lbs., or may defer their i-eturn until they have spent two winters in the sea. Such fish, running up in the spring, are known as " Small Spring Salmon." But Salmon may pass several years in the sea and attain a large size before entering fresh water to breed. It

Salmonidae

13

seems that Salmon seldom live longer than ten years or spawn more than three or four times ; many spawn only once. After spawning the Salmon is termed a Kelt.

Enlarged photographs of scales of Salmonidae, presented by J. A. Milne, Esq., are exhibited in a frame on the wall to the

Fig. 6. — Scale of Salmon.

1 marks the edge of the Smolt scale ; 2 indicates the first \vinter zone formed in the sea ; 3 the spawning mark ; and 4 the second winter zone formed in the sea, which has been obliterated, except anteriorly.

right. Nos. 1 to 7 are scales of Salmon, and illustrate how the age and life-history of the fish can be read on the scales. One of these photographs is reproduced here (fig. 6). The scales of a Salmon show concentric rings ; as the fish gi-ows the scales increase in size and more rings are added. In the summer,

14 Guide to the British Fresh-Water" Fishes

when growth is lapitl, numerous complete rings separated by relatively wide interspaces are formed ; in winter, when growth is slower, the rings are fewer, incomplete and closer together : thus broad summer zones and narrower and darker winter zones are marked on the scales. Tiie rings formed during the Parr stage are much closer together than those formed in the sea. When tlie Salmon enters fresh water to breed growth ceases and the edges of the scales become worn and irregular ; if the Kelt gets liack to the sea and resumes feeding new ridges are added outside this irregular edge, which then appears as a " spawning mark."

The specimens exhibited are a Parr (5) and a Smolt (6), each about 6^ inches long ; a Grilse (7) of 4^ lbs. from the Eiver Moy, Ballina, Ireland, taken in June, 1912; male (9) and female (8) Small Spring Salmon. 8 to i) ll)s., also from the Moy, taken in April, 1912 (in the male the snout is longer than in the female) ; a female Kelt (10) from the Wye, February 8, 1914, presented by J. k. Hutton, Esq. (a lean and dull-coloured fish) ; a female Salmon (11), 46 inches long and weighing 44-| lbs., taken in tlie Wye on April 7, 1912, by the donor, J. A. Hutton, Esq. (hke the Grilse and Small Spring Salmon this is a fresh-run fish, silvery and well proportioned); and a male Salmon (12), 55^ lbs., from the Tay, Sept. 28, 1898 (the produced jaws, curved at the tip, are characteristic of large males).

13 — 19. Trout, Salmo triUta (fig. 5). — In the sea the Trout ranges from Iceland and Northern Europe to the Bay of Biscav. and as a fresh-water tish it extends to Southern Europe and even to Sardinia, Algeria and Morocco. Trout very similar to ours inhabit the Black, Caspian and Aral Seas and their trijjutaries. In our islands the Trout is found all round the coast, and in most lakes and rivers ; it varies greath in size, appearance, and habits. In some brooks and tarns it averages only 3 or 4 ounces, but in large lakes, such as Lough Neagh, it is said to grow to 50 lbs., and the Sea Trout of the Tweed and Coquet also attain a large size. Many Trout never go to sea ; those that do may descend as smolts when about the same size as Salmon smolts, but they do not go so far out to sea as the Salmon, and often frequent the estuaries. Trout, unlike most Salmon, appear to be annual spawners.

The specimens exhibited illustrate to some extent the variation in size and colour. They are : (13) Sea Trout, 8 lbs. 4 oz., Mont- rose, July, 1901 ; (14) Great Lake Trout, the so-called " Salmo

Salni07iidac

15

ferox,'' length 35 inches, estimated weight 18 lbs., Loch Awe, 1906, presented by Major H. Maclean ; (15) Loch Leven Trout, Loch Leven ; (16) Gillaroo Trout, 5 lbs. 1|- o/... Lough Arrow, presented by J. Gunning, Esq. ; (17-19) Trout from three Sutherlandshire lochs, Scovu'ie, BoroUan and Crocach.

Attention may be called to specimens illustrating the difference between our Trout (S. trutta) and the Californian Eainbow Trout (.S'. irideus) ; these are in table-case 43 in the Fish Gallery.

20 — 27. Char, Salvelinus. — -Char are very similar to Trout, but they have smaller scales and there are no black spots ; pink or orange spots are usually present, and the lower part of the fish is often of the same colour, or, in the lu'eeding season, even crimson. Char are found in numerous lakes of Ireland, Scotland, the Lake District and North Wales, and of Scandinavia and the Alps. The Char {Salvelinus aPpimis) of the Arctic Ocean ascends rivers to spawn, and does not range southwards as a marine fish beyond Hudson Bay, Iceland, Helgeland in Norway and the Kurile Islands. It is evident that the British and Irish Char are lacustrine colonies of the northern Char, which must have ascended our rivers when our seas were colder. The Char found in our lakes differ from Salvelinus alpinus and from each other, and may be regarded either as sub-species of S. alpinus or as so many separate species ; fifteen have been recognized as distinct and have received specific names.

Fig. 7. — Lough Melvin Char.

The exhibited specimens are : (20) *S'. grayi (fig. 7), from Lough Melvin, distinguished by its deep body, few scales and large fins ; (21) Salvelinus gracillimus, from the Shetlands, notable for its

1 6 Guide to the British Fresh-Water Fishes

slender form ; (22, 23) S. n-il\iu\hhii, the Windermere Char ; (24, 25) S. maxiWaris, from Ben Hope, Sutherlandshke, remark- able for the large mouth and strong jaws ; and (26, 27) -S. kiUincnsis, from Loch Killin, Inverness-shire, a Char with blunt snout and subterminal nioutii, large lins and very small scales.

Whitefish, Coreqonus. — These fishes differ from Salmon, Trout and Char in their smaller mouth, with the teeth minute or absent, and in their larger scales. They have the general appear- ance of Herrings, but are distinguished by the presence of an adipose fin. They feed on minute Crustacea, insect larvae, etc. Our species may be distinguished thus : —

Mouth terminal ; lower jaw projecting . Coregonus vandcsius. Mouth terminal ; jaws equal in front . Mouth subterminal ; lower jaw the

shorter ; snout truncated Mouth inferior; snout produced .

C. pollan.

C. clupeoidcs. C. oxyrhynchus.

28. Vendace, Coregonus vandesius (fig. 8). — This little fish inhabits two lochs at Lochmaben, in Dumfriesshire, and is repre-

''':j^fr.!^^

Fig. 8. — Lochmaben Vendace.

sented in Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite Lakes by a distinct sub-species, Coregonus vandesius gracilior, which differs from tjie typical form in having the body more slender, the fins smaller and the dorsal rays more numerous. Vendace are never more than 9 inches long. Species related to the Vendace inhabit the countries round the Baltic, and others ascend Siberian rivers from the Arctic Ocean.

29. Pollan, Goregonvs pollan. — This species is abundant in Lough Neagh, where it is regulai'ly netted for the market. The

Salmo'iiidae

17

Lough Erne Pollan [G. pollan altior) and the Shannon Pollan ((7. pollan elegans) (fig. 9) differ slightly from the typical form found in Lough Neagh. Pollan are usually 8 to 12 inches long,

Fig. 9. — Shannon Pollan.

but sometimes measure 18 inches. An arctic marine species that ascends the rivers of Siberia is the nearest relative of this exclusively Irish fish.

30. Powan, Coregonus clupeoides (fig. 10b).— The Powan of Lochs Lomond and Esk, the Schelly (C chqyeoides stigmaticus) of Ullswater and Haweswater, and the Gwyniad (C clupeoides pen- nantii) of Bala Lake, are all forms of a species that is represented in Scandinavia and Central Europe by a number of very similar species or sub-species, including the Blaufelchen (C ivartmanni)

A. B.

Fig. 10. — Heads op (A) Houting and (B) Schelly.

of the Lake of Constance. Coregonus muksun, a migratory arctic species, is also closely related. The Powan is of the same size as the Pollan.

Houting, Coregonus oxyrhynchus (fig. 10a). — This is a migra- tory species of the coast of Europe from Scandinavia to Holland ;

c

1 8 Guide to tJic BritisJi Fresh-Water Fishes

occasional specimens cross the Nortli Sea and have been captured in our eastern rivers.

31. Qraylinff, Thymallus thymaUus. — The Grayhng is dis- tinguished by the rather long dorsal fin, witli the rays more numerous than in other Salmonoids. In scaling and size of the mouth it resembles tlie Whitefish more than the Salmon or Trout, but the teeth, although small, are quite distinct. The Grayling inhabits rivers of Northern Europe and of the Alps ; in England and Wales it is rather local ; it has been introduced into Scotland, but is absent from Ireland. Other species of Grayling are found in Siberia and in North America. In this country a Grayling of 5 lbs. is exceptional, but in northern Scandinavia they grow to more than twice that weight. The food consists of flies, insect larvae, small molluscs and crustaceans, etc. The breeding season is from Marcli to May, later than in other Salmonidae. The fish exhibited is from the Test at Stockbridge ; weight, 2 lbs. 12 oz. ; presented l)y E. J. Power, Esq.

OSMEEIDAE.

This family resembles the Salmonidae in external features, but differs in some important structural characters. Like the Salmonidae, it comprises northern marine fishes that breed in fresh watei'.

32. Smelt, Osmerus eperlanus. — The Smelt is distinguished by its thin transparent scales and by its coloration. The translucent olive-green hue of the back is sharply defined from the bright silvery colour of the sides. The Smelt ranges from the Baltic southwards on our east and south-east coast to Hampshire, and on the west coast to North Wales. In the spring the shoals enter rivers to spawn ; the eggs are not buried as in the Salmonidae, but lie on the bottom, adheiing to the stones, etc., on which they fall. After spawning, the fish may stay in fresh water, sometimes remaining until the autumn ; in Eostherne Mere, in Cheshire, the Smelt is a permanent resident. This fish feeds on small fishes, crustaceans, worms, etc. ; it grows to a lengtli of 13 inches.

CLUPEIDAE.

This important family inhabits the seas of all parts of ihe world ; many of the species ascend rivers to breed, and a few are permanent residents in fresh water. The Chijieidae are similar to

Clnpeidae

19

the Salmonidae in most external features, but difier in the absence of the adipose fin. Of our British species, the Shads differ from the Herring, Sprat and Pilchard structurally in that the upper jaw has a well-marked median notch, and biologically in that they ascend rivers, especially the Shannon and the Severn, from April to June, to spawn in fresh water. The eggs lie at the bottom of the river, and the young fish migrate to the sea when they are two years old and about 6 inches long.

^^. Allis Shad, Aloui alosa. — This species is especially dis- tinguished by the long and slender gill-rakers, numbering 55 to 85 on the lower part of the anterior branchial arch (fig. 12b). It reaches a weight of 8 lbs. The specimen exhibited, 24 inches long, is from the Severn at Gloucester.

Fig. 11.— Twaitr Shad.

B.

Fig. 12 — Anteeior Bbanchiai, Arch of (A) Twaite Shad axd

(B) Allis Shad.

r, gill-rakers.

34. Twaite Shad, Alosa finta (fig. 11).— The Twaite Shad has the gill -rakers much shorter and fewer than in the Allis Shad, numbering only 24 to 27 on the lower part of the anterior branchial arch (fig. 12a). It attains a length of 20 inches and

c 2

20 Guide to the British Fresh- Water Fishes

a weiglit ut -1 lbs. The example exhil)iteLl, taken from the Severn at Worcester, was presented by C. H. Cook, Esq.

Killarney Shad, Alosa finta killarnensis. — This interesting l)ut little-known form is a permanent resident in the Lakes of Killarney. It ditiers from the migratory Twaite Shad in the deeper body and the more numerous gill-rakers ; the latter number 30 to 33 on the lower part of the anterior branchial arch. The largest specimen as yet recorded is only 8 inches long.

ESOCIDAE.

This family differs from the Salmonidae and Clupeidae in tiie postei'ior position of the dorsal fin, which is above the anal ; there is no adipose fin. It includes the single genus Esox, with six species in Europe, Northern Asia and North America.

35. Pike, Esox liicins. — This fish is so well known as to need no description ; but it may be noted that the strong erect fixed teeth of the lower jaw are adapted for holding its prey, and that the bands of slender depressible teeth on the tongue and on the roof of the mouth help its passage inwards. The Pike is found all over Europe, except Spain and Portugal ; it ranges through Kussian Turkestan, Siberia and Mongolia, and in North America from Alaska to the Great Lakes ; in the British Isles it is generally distributed, but becomes local in Northern Scotland. A weight of 40 lbs. is rarely exceeded in this country, but there seems little reason to doubt that a Pike of 52 lbs. was taken when Whittlesea Mere was drained in 1851, or that a still larger one was taken about 1775 in Loch Ken. The Pike is sohtary, and feeds on other fishes ; in the winter they pair, and in the early spring they make their way into ditches, backwaters, etc., and spawn among the weeds. The specimen exhibited, from Lough Arrow, was presented by Messrs. Williams and Son in 1907. It measures 46 inches in length, and probably weighed about 35 lbs. Another fine Irish Pike, 30 lbs. in weight, from Lough Conn, is shown in the Pish Gallery (Case 10, No. 407).

ANGUILLIDAE.

The Eels are recognized by the long, subcylindrical body, the terminal mouth, with bands of pointed teeth, the small gill- openings, the absence of pelvic fins, and the long dorsal and anal fins extending to the end of the tail. The family Anguillidae in- cludes the genus AngniUa, with several Tndo-Pacific species and

Anguillidac

21

two from the Atlantic, of which the American Eel ranges from Greenland to the Antilles.

Fig. 13. — Metamorphosis of Eel, from Leptocephalus to Elyeb.

(After Johs. Schmidt.)

36. Eel, AnguiUa anguilla. — This species ranges from Iceland and Scandinavia to the Azores and Morocco : it inhabits the

2 2 Guide to tJic British Fresh- J]\itcr Fishes

Mediterranean but not the lilack Sea. Eels occur in both fresh and salt water, in the former penetrating to the smallest brooks and ponds, in the latter lurking among rocks and weeds near the shore. They are almost omnivorous, but feed chiefly on small fishes, crayfishes, worms, etc. ; they are nocturnal, in the day usually hiding in holes or lying buried in sand. jNIale Eels rarely grow to more than 20 inches long, but females grow much larger, especially in the fen district, where a length of over 5 feet and a weight of 20 lbs. or more may be reached. It is now established that the Eel breeds only once in its life. Towards the autumn a certain number become silvery and migrate to the sea and make their way far out into the Atlantic ; their breeding place is in deep water, probably south of the Azores. The transparent strongly compressed larvae (Leptocephalus) are quite imlike the adult ; when about 8 inches long they cease feeding, and during their migration towards the coasts and rivers, which occupies several months, they shrink both in depth and length, until they become little Eels, or Elvers, about 2^- inches long (fig. 13). A series illustrating the metamorphosis of the Eel is exhibited in the case entitled " Fisheries Investigations " on the left of the staircase in the Central Hall. Tlie Eel exhibited is from the Thames at Teddington ; it measures 35 inches, and may have weighed from 4 to 5 lbs.

CYPRINIDAE.

This large family of strictly fresh-water fishes inhabits Europe, \sia, Africa and North America. All or most of the fin -rays are

flexible and jointed, and the pelvic fins are abdominal in position ; there is no adipose fin ; the mouth is toothless, protractile, and l)ordered above by the praemaxillaries only.

The pharyngeal bones, a pair of bones that lie in the throat just behind the gills, bear a small number of teeth that bite upwards against a hard plate supported by a process from the skull. In a wall-frame are exhibited the pluiryngeals of some British species, to illustrate tlie ditterences in the form, number and arrangement of the teeth.

Fig. 14;. — Pharyngeals oi' Chdb.

Cyprinidae

23

1. Carp, Cyprlntiti cariyio ; teeth inolanform, triserial, 1.1.3-

3i.i.*

2. Crucian Carp, Carassms carassius ; teeth compressed,

uniserial, 4-4.

3. Tench, Tinea iinca ; teeth wedge-shaped, uniserial, 5-4.

4. Barhel, Barbus harbus ; teeth subconical, hooked, triserial,

3.3-5-5-3-2.

5. Chub, LeuciscHs cephaliis (fig. 14) ; teeth subconical, hooked, biserial, 2.5-5.2.

6. Eudd, Scardiniiis erijihroplitlKdmiia ; teeth compressed, with pectinated (comb-like) edges, biserial, 3.5-5.3.

7. Eoach, Buiilus rutilns ; teeth conical or sHghtly compressed, not pectinated, uniserial, 5-6.

8. Bream, Abrmnis bnoiKi ; teeth compressed, notched, uni- serial, 5-5.

Enlarged photographs of the scales of Cyprinidae (Eoach, Gudgeon, Barbel, Chuli ;ind Tench) and of some other British

Fig. 15. — Scale op Rudd.

* The formula 1.1.3-3.1.1 indicates that on each side there is one tooth in the outer series, one in the next, and three in the inner series. The number of teeth is not always the same on both sides ; 5-4 (Tench) means 5 on one side and 4 on the other.

24 Guide to the British Fresh- Water Fishes

fresh-water fishes, presented by J. A. Milne, Esq., are shown in a frame below that illustrating the scales of the Salmonidae. The C}^rinoid scales differ in detail, but all show concentric ridges and radiating grooves (fig. 15), as do the scales of the Pleuro- nectidae and Percidae ; in the last named the free edge of the scale is studded with little denticles ; in the Salmonidae and Gadidae the grooves are absent ; and in the Clupeidae both ridges and grooves tend to become transverse.

The British Cyprinoids are more or less gregarious, and in the spring or early summer, when they breed, they crowd together on the shallows. The majority are found in lakes or ponds as well as in rivers, but some, such as Carp, Tench, Rudd and Bream, prefer still or slow-running water, w^hilst others, such as the Dace, frequent the swifter streams. They feed on a mixed diet of weeds, insect larvae, small Crustacea, insects, etc., and the Chub may even eat small fishes.

The British Cyprinidae may be grouped as follows : —

I. Dorsal fin long ; anal fin short. Carp, Crucian Carp.

II. Dorsal fin short ; anal fin short. Barbel, Gudgeon, Tench, Minnow, Chub, Dace, Eoach, Eudd.

III. Dorsal fin short; anal fin long. Bream, White Bream, Bleak.

37, 38. Carp, Cxj'prmus carpio. — The long dorsal fin and the presence of two barbels on each side of the mouth distinguish this species, which is a native of China and not indigenous to Britain. In this country it attains a weight of about 25 lbs., but it is said to grow much larger on the Continent.

Of the two specimens exhibited the larger (38) belongs to the variety known as " Mirror Carp," or " King Carp," which has the scales enlarged but reduced in number, part of the body being naked. This fish, weighing 20 lbs. 8 oz., was caught in the lake at Aldermaston, Herts, in December, 1911, and was presented by C. E. Keyser, Esq. The smaller fish shown (37) was taken from a pond in Kew Gardens in June, 1906 ; weight, 12 lbs. 8 oz. : presented by the Director, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

39. Crucian Carp, Carassius carassius (fig. 16). — This species is placed in a genus distinguished from that of the Common Carp by the absence of barbels and by the very different pharyngeal dentition. It inhabits Europe, Turkestan, Siberia and Mongolia ; in Britain it is rare, except in the Thames and some of the eastern

Cyprinidae

25

counties of England, and it may not be indigenous. It is said to attain a weight of 7 lbs., but the fish exhibited, 3 lbs. 12 oz., is believed to be the largest caught in this country liy an angler ; it

'^..

Fig. 16. — Crucian Carp.

was taken in Cheshunt Eeservoir in September, 1915, by the donor, J. Andrews, Esq.

The Gold-fish, Carassius auratus, is closely related ito the Crucian Carp. It is a native of Eastern Asia, but has been intro- duced into almost every part of the world.

40. Barbel, Barbus barbus. — The Barbel is distinguished by the inferior horse-shoe-shaped mouth, with thick lips and with two barbels on each side, and by the strong serrated spine of the dorsal fin. It ranges from France through Germany to the Danube, and in Britain seems to be restricted to the Thames, the Trent, and some of the Yorkshire rivers. In this country a length of 36 inches and a weight of 20 lbs. is the maximum recorded, but in the Danube a much larger size is reached. The exhibited specimen is 30 inches long, and probably weighed about 13 lbs. It was taken from the Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park in 1844.

41. Qudgeon, Gobio gobio. — The Gudgeon is very similar to the Barbel, but the dorsal fin has no spine and the mouth has only one pair of barbels. It is found all over Europe, except the Iberian Peninsula and Greece, and extends through Northern Asia

2 6 Guide to the British Fresh-Water Fishes

to Mongolia. It is couimuu in England, except Coinwall anil the Lake District, and in Wales and Ireland, but it is absent from Scotland. Tlie shoals frequent quiet shallows with a sandy or gravelly bottom. This is a small species, rarely growing to a length of 8 inclies. The example exliibited, from the Thames, was mounted and presented by F. Page, Hsq.

42. Tench, Tinea /wcrt.— The small scales, rounded fins and greenish colour are characteristic of this species, which is quite unlike any of the other T^ritish Cyprinoids. It inhabits Europe, Asia Minor and Western Siberia; in ouv islands it is generally distributed, except in Scotland north of Loch Lomond. It is a sluggish fish, found in lakes, ponds and slow-iunuing rivers. There is a British record of a specimen weighing 11 lbs. 9 oz., but the angler does not often capture a larger Tench tiian the one exhibited, a fish of 5 lbs., which was taken in the lake at Gatton Park, Surrey, in June, 1915, by the donor, F. E. Graham, Esq.

43. Minnow, Phoxinus 2}hoxinus (fi,<4. 17). — ^The Minnow is in most respects a miniature Chub or Dace, but the scales are much smaller than in those species. It inhabits Eiirope, except the Iberian Peninsula, and extends through Russian Turkestan and Siberia ; it is generally distributed in England and Wales, is

W

Fig. 17. — Minnow.

absent from the northern Highlands of Scotland, and is local in Ireland ; 3 or 4 inches is the usual size, but examples 6 or 7 inches long have been taken. The pretty little fishes exhi])ited, showing the difference in coloration of the sexes in the breeding season, were mounted and presented by F. Page, Esq.

44. Chub, Leiiciscus cephalus (fig. 18). — The Barbel and (xudgeon have barbels, the Tench and Minnow have small scales; in the remaining species with both dorsal and anal fin short the

Cyprinidae

27

mouth is terminal, without barbels, and the scales are relatively large. Of these the Chub is distinguished from the Dace, Roach and Rudd by its large head and wide mouth, but especially by having the margin of the anal fin convex instead of concave. The Chub ranges from Europe through Asia Minor to Persia ; in the British Isles it is absent from Ireland, Scotland north of the Forth, and Devon and Cornwall. It is a river fish and likes swift

Fig. is.— CHu?i.

shallows ; the larger ones often eat minnows and other small fishes. A length of 24 inches and a weight of 8 lbs. appears to be the maximum size for this country, but Continental specimens of 12 lbs. have been recorded. The fish exhibited, 6 lbs. 5 oz., was taken from the Avon at Christchurch on March 14, 1906, by the donor, E. J. Walker, Esq.

Fig. 19.— Dace.

45. Dace, Leuciscus leuciscus (fig. 19). — The Dace is a graceful and silvery fish ; it is distinguished from the Chub by the concave edge of the anal fin. The dorsal fin, of 3 simple and 7 or 8 branched rays, originates above the base of the pelvic fins. The

28 Guide to the British Fresh-Water Fishes

Dace is found in Europe noitli of the Pyrenees and Alps, and ranges throughout Siheria ; it inhabits most rivers of England and Wales, but is absent from Scotland and Ireland. Dace of li lbs. have been recorded, but the specimen exhibited, 1 lb. 4 o/... is exceptionally large ; it was taken from the Kennet at Kintbury in September, 1916, and was presented ])y Frank Barker, Esq.

46. Roach, Rutihis rutilus (fig. 20). — Although so similar to the Chub and Dace in appearance, the Eoach is now placed in a distinct genus because it has only one series of pharyngeal teeth instead of two. It is usually deeper in form than the Dace ; the rather large dorsal fin, of 3 simple and 9 to 11 branched rays, originates above the end of the base of the pelvic fins. The Roach

Fig. 20.— Roach.

is found in Europe north of the Pyrenees and x\lps, and in Russian Turkestan and Siberia. In Britain it ranges north to Loch Lomond and the Teith ; it is absent from Ireland. The record English Roach, 3 lbs. lOi oz., was taken from the Bristol Water Company's reservoir in November, 1904. The example exhibited, a fine fish weighing 2 lbs. 8 oz., was taken in Hornsea Mere in January, 1915, by the donor, E. Kempsey, Esq.

47. Rudd, Scardinitis erytliropktiialmufi (fig. 21). — Biserial pharyngeal teeth with pectinated edges characterize the genus Scardinius. The Rudd is a deep-bodied fish, with a bronze or golden tinge on the sides and with reddish fins ; the dorsal fin is smaller and farther back than in the Roach, originating well l)ehind the base of the pelvic fins. The Rudd occurs in Europe (except the Iberian Peninsula), Asia Minoi-, Russian Turkestan

Cypj'inidae

29

and Siberia ; in England it is common in the eastern counties, but is local elsewhere ; it is absent from Scotland, but is abundant in Ireland. It is especially a fish of lakes, ponds and slow-running

Fig. 21.— Rudd.

rivers. A length of 18 inches and a weight of 3| lbs. may be reached. A Eudd of about 2| lbs. is exhibited ; it is from Norfolk, and was presented by J. G. Buxton, Esq.

48. Hybrid Roach and Rudd, Rutilus riitilus x Scardinius erythrophthahmis. — This hybrid is probably not uncommon in most localities inhabited by the parent species, but may generally be mistaken for one or the other of them. It is in every way intermediate between the parents, and this may particularly be noted in regard to the position, size and form of the dorsal fin. The very fine specimen shown, weighing 3 lbs., was taken from a pond near Doncaster in August, 1915, by the donor, W. E. Park, Esq.

49. Silver Bream or White Bream, Blicca bjoerkna. — This species has a deep, strongly compressed body, a long anal fin, of 2 or 3 simple and 19 to 24 branched rays, and rather large scales, there being 8 to 11 in a transverse series from dorsal fin to lateral line ; the coloration is silvery white, with greyish fins. The Silver Bream ranges throughout Eiu-ope north of the Pyrenees and the Alps into Western Siberia. In this country it is found in east coast streams from Yorkshire to Suffolk, occurring only in slow-running rivers or in lakes. It attains a length of about 12 inches and a weight of 1\ lbs. The example shown is from the Cam.

30 Guide io tJie BritisJi FresJi-Water Fishes

50. Common Bream or Carp Bream, Abramis bra ma (fig. 22). — In this species the pharyngeal teeth are uniserial, whereas in the White Bream they are biserial (cf. p. 23). The branched rays of the anal fin number 23 to 29, the scales from dorsal fin to lateral line 11 to 15 ; the coloration is brownish or greenish, with bronze reflections ; the fins are blackish. The young are silvery, and are generally confounded with the Silver Bream, and with Bream hyl)rids with Rudd and Roach, under the name Bream-flat. The Common Bream inhabits Europe north of the Pyrenees and Alps, Russian Turkestan and Western Siberia ; in Britain it is absent from Scotland north of the Forth, and from the north-western counties of England; in

Fig. 22. — Common Bbkam.

Ireland it is common. It is found in lakes and sluggish rivers There is a record of a 17-lb. Bream from the Trent. The specimen shown, weighing 7 lbs. 14 J, oz., was caught in tlie River Wensum, near Norwich, in December, 1915, by Mr. W. G. Hewitt. A Bream of 8 lbs. 8 oz., a female distended with eggs, is exhibited in the Fish Gallery (Case 8, No. 349).

51, 52. Bream Hybrids. — The Common Bream and the White Bream are known to form a hybrid, but it does not seem to have been recognized in this country. Moreover, both species hybridize with the Roach and the Rudd, and in some years the hybrids between these species and the Common Bream may be

Cyprinidae 3 1

quite abundant in certain localities. These hybrids are in every way intermediate between the parent species.

The hybrid Bream and Eoacli {Abrainis })rama x litiiilit:^ rutilm) has the form of a deep Eoach ; the anal fin is rather long, and lias 15 to 19 branched rays. A very fine example of this hybrid (51), weighing 3 lbs. 10 ozs., is exhibited ; it is from a lake at Tortworth, Gloucestershire, and was presented in 1914 by the Earl of Ducie, F.E.S.

The hybrid Bream and Eudd {Abramis bramn x ScardinniH erythrophthahnus) differs from the Bream and Eoach hybrid in the same characters that the Eudd differs from the Eoach — body usually a little deeper, mouth more oblique, dorsal fin a little farther back, etc. This fish is well known to the Lough Erne fishermen, who call it " White Eoach." One of a series from Lough Erne presented by the late Major H. Trevelyan is exhibited (52) ; the largest of these weighed 2 lbs.

53- Bleak, Alburnus lucidus. — This pretty and lively little fish shows more resemblance to the Dace than to the Breams in its elongate form and bright silvery coloration ; its relationship is really with the Breams, as is shown by the rather long anal fin and the sharp edge of the abdomen in front of it. k silvery powder extracted from the scales of the Bleak is used in France in the manufacture of artificial pearls. The Bleak inhabits Europe north of the Pyrenees and Alps ; in Britain it is absent from Scotland, the Lake District, and the counties bordering the Channel ; it does not occur in Ireland. It grows to a length of 8 inches. The specimen exhibited, from Weybridge, was presented by F. Page, Esq., in 1915.

54. 55- Bleak Hybrids. — The Bleak is known to form hybrids with the Dace, Chub, Eoach, Eudd and White Bream. The commonest of these is the hybrid Bleak and Chub {Alburnus lucidus X Leuc'iscus cephalus), which is represented in the Museum by specimens from the Mole, the Thames, and from a reservoir near Oundle ; a model of one from the first-named locality is shown (54). This hybrid combines the physiognomy of both parents ; the anal fin has 10 to 13 branched rays. The other Bleak hybrids are rare ; of the two examples known of the Bleak and Eoach hybrid {Alburnus lucidus x Butilus rutilus) one was taken in the Eiver Nen in 1889. A model of this is exhibited (55) ; it has a deeper body than the hybrid Bleak and Chub.

32 Guide to the British Fresh-Water Fishes

COBITIDAE.

The Loaches are closely related to the Cyprinidae, hut they have no plate for the pharyngeal teeth to bite against. Externally they are distinguished by the elongate body, with the scales very small or absent, and by the presence of at least six barbels. The majority of the species inhal)it mountain streams of Central and Southern Asia ; two of the three European species occur in our islands.

56. Loach or Stone Loach, Ncmachilus barbatulus. — The Loach has the body spotted or marbled, and the fins crossed by series of small spots. It inhabits Europe, except the Iberian Peninsula and Greece, and ranges through Turkestan and Siberia to China and Japan ; in the British Isles it is widely distributed, but is absent from the Highlands of Scotland. Loach frequent small streams, and lie concealed beneath stones during the day ; they are said to be more active at night. A length of about o inches may be reached.

57. Spined Loach, Cohitis taenia. — This species takes its name from the erectile spine that lies in a groove below the eye ; the most conspicuous feature of its coloration is the interrupted dark lateral stripe or series of spots. Its general distribution is the same as that of the Stone Loach, but in our islands it has been recorded only from a few localities in England. It often buries itself in the sand, and lies with the head protruding. It may grow to about 4 inches lontr.

'o-

GADIDAE.

The Cod family includes fishes with all the fin-rays flexible and jointed, but with the pelvic fins placed in advance of the pectorals.

58. Burbot, Lota lota. — This is the only fresh-water fish of the family. The head is broad and the mouth wide, with bands of pointed teeth ; the lower jaw has a barbel ; the dorsal fin is divided into a short anterior and a long posterior part, the latter opposed to the anal and continuous with the rounded caudal ; the body is spotted or marbled with brown or black. The Burbot is found in Europe, except the Iberian Peninsula and Greece ; it extends through Sibeiia to Alaska and the Great Lakes of North

Percidae

■^ ^

3 0

America ; in Britain it inhabits eastern rivers from Durham to Suffolk. Like the Eel it lurks in the day-time and at night goes in pursuit of its prey. The breeding season is from January to March. A specimen of 8 lbs. has been recorded from the Trent ; on the Continent twice that weight is reached, and in Alaska the Burbot attains 60 lbs.

PEECIDAE.

The Percidae are fresh-water fishes of Nortli America, Europe and Northern Asia. They have two dorsal fins, the anterior long and with the rays represented by strong sharply pointed spines ; the pelvic fins are placed below the pectorals ; the mouth is toothed, protractile, with the maxillaries excluded from the oral border (fig. 1a, p. 8).

59. Perch, Perca fluviatilis. — The Perch is a handsome fish, at once distinguished by the dark bars on the sides. It inhabits Europe, except the Iberian Peninsula ; extends through Transcaspia

Fig. 23. — Ruffe.

and Siberia, and is represented in Turkestan and in North America by very similar species. In our islands it is common everywhere, except in the north of Scotland, but it is not found in swift-running streams. The shoals of Perch rove in search of little fishes, worms, insect larvae, shellfisii, etc., on which they feed. They breed on reedy shallows from ]\Iarch to May. A weight of 5 lbs. is seldom exceeded, l^ut a Perch of 8 lbs. is said to have been taken from the Avon, and one of 10 lbs. from Bala Lake.

D

34 Guide to tJic British FrcsJi-Watcr Fishes

The fish exhibited was captured in the Kenuet at Xewbuiy by the donor, A. P. Zerfass, Esq. ; weight, 2 lbs. 12 oz.

6o. Ruffe ur Pope, Acerina ccrnua (fig. 23). — In this species the dorsal fins are united, and it differs from the Perch in several other characters, including the spotted or marljled coloration. It inhabits Eui-ope north of the P\ieuees and Alps, Russian Turkestan and Siberia ; in our islands it is absent from Scotland and Ii-eland, and in England and Wales from the counties north of Lancashire and Yorkshire and from the south-western counties. It is a small fish, reaching a length of S inches. The shoals keep near the bottom in quiet waters, and do not roam about so actively as the Perch.

SEER AX ID AE.

The Sea Perches differ from the Perch family in that the anal fin is preceded by three spines instead of two. The majority are marine, but some species ascend rivers.

Bass, Morvne lahrax. — The Bass is distinguished from the Perch by the silvery coloration. In the summer months this fish may ascend some of our southern livers for considerable distances, but these occasional incursions hardly give it a place among our fresh-water fishes. One is exhibited in the Fish Gallery (Case 13, No. 511).

MUGILIDAE.

In the Grey Mullets the spinous dorsal fin is formed of only four sharp spines and is Avidely separated from the soft dorsal; the mouth is small and the teeth are minute. There are three British species, the Thick=lipped Grey Mullet (MikjH chcio). the Golden Grey Mullet (3/. auratus), and the Thin = lipped Grey Mullet (J/, capitd). These marine fishes frequent estuaiies, and at times ascend beyond tidal hmits. An example of Miujil capito is shown in the Fish Galler}^ (Case 11, No. 457).

COTTIDAE.

This family includes a large number of marine species, mostly from northern seas, and a comparatively small number of fresh- water species from Europe, Noithern Asia and North America.

6i. Bullhead or Miller's Thumb (Co//«s //o6/a).— This httle fish has. a bcaleless iDody and a Ijroad head, from each side of

Gastrosteidac 35

which a rather strong spine projects ; its coloration is ohv c spotted, marhled or liarred witli hro\Yn or l)lack. It is found all over Europe, except the Iherian Peninsula and Greece ; in our islands it seems to he ahsent from Scotland and Ireland. It lurks on the hottom or under stones, waiting for the small fishes, worms, etc., on which it feeds. In March or April the Bullheads pair and scoop out a hole under a stone, forming a nest ; the eggs are adherent, and are usually attached to the under side of this stone ; the male guards the nest until the fry swim away. The usual length of this species is 3 or 4 inches ; exceptionally 6 inches may he attained. The exhihited specimen is from a brook at Selborne, and was presented hy Dr. E. Bowdler Sharpe.

GASTEOSTEIDAE.

The Gastrosteidae are a northern family ; they are distinguished from other fishes found in our rivers in having the spines of the spinous dorsal fin free, unconnected by membrane.

62, 63. Three = spined Stickleback, Gastrosteus aculeatus. — This little fish is never more than 4 inches long ; its dorsal fin has three (rarely two or four) spines. It is found on the coasts and in the rivers of arctic and north temperate countries ; in the arctic regions it is principally marine, and in Southern Europe it appears to be strictly a fresh-water fish. The development of a lateral series of bony plates is very variable, but as a rule the series is complete in marine Sticklebacks and is reduced to 3 or 4 anterior plates in those from inland localities. The Three-spined Stickleback is famous for its boldness, greediness and pugnacity. In the spring or summer the male fish acquires a brilliant red colour on the belly and builds a nest, a dome or barrel-shaped structure made of bits of the roots and stalks of water-weeds cemented together by a secretion from his kidneys ; when the nest is made he seeks a mate, often fighting to win her, and after the eggs are laid he guards the nest until the young fish desert it. The model exhibited (62) is the work of the donor, F. Page, Esq. A male in breeding dress is also shown (63).

64. Ten = spined Stickleback, Pjjgosteus i)}in(iitius. — The spinous dorsal fin is represented l)y a series of about ten small spines, alternately divergent to the right and left ; the body is naked except for a few small plates bearing a keel on each side of the tail ; the maximum length is 3 inches. This is a northern species, and in Europe does not cross the Alps ; it varies in

36 Guide fo tJic British Fresh-Water Fishes

dilToiviil parts of its range; the form tliat inhabits the 15ritish Islands and France is distinguislicd from that of Northern I'^urope by its shorter spines. In habits this species differs from the Three-spined Stickleback in that tlie nest is not Imilt on the bottom, but is attached to weeds or grasses.

PLEURONECTIDAE.

Tlie Flat-fishes lie on one side ; both eyes are on the upper side, which is coloured, whilst the lower side is white. Most of the Flat-fishes are marine, but some enter fresh water.

65. Flounder, Plcuronccics flesus. — The Flounder is closely related to the Plaice ; it is common on all the coasts of Europe, and ascends rivers as far as the first falls. It is 'remarkable for its power of changing its coloration to resemble the ground on which it lies. It feeds especially on small shellfish, but also eats worms, little fishes, etc. It grows to a length of ai)out 18 inches.

?>1

INDEX.

PAGE

Abramis brama . . . . 23, 30

Acerina cerniia 34

Acipenser sturio 10

Acipenseridae 10

Albiirnus lucidus 31

AUisShad 19

Alosa alosa 19

,, finta 19

,, killarnensia 20

Ainmocortes 9

Anguillidae 20

Angnilla anguilla 21

Barbel 23,25

Barbus barbns 23, 25

Bass 34

Blaufelchen 17

Bleak 31

Bleak hybrids 31

Blicca bjoerkna 29

Bream, Carp 23, 30

„ Common . . . .23,30

„ Hybrid 30

„ Silver 29

„ White 29

Bullhead 34

Burbot 32

Carassius carassius . . . 23, 24

Carp . .• 23, 24

., Crucian 23,24

„ King 24

„ Mirror 24

Char 11, 15

,, Lough Melvin .... 15

Chub 23,26

Clupeidae 19

Cobitidae 32

Cobitis taenia ,,,... 32

PAGE

Corrgoniift 11, IG

,, clupcoidcs . . . IG, 17

,, ,, pennantii . 17

,, ,, sfignuiticus 17

,, mulmim . . . . 17 oxijrhynchus ... 17

,, pollan IG

,, ,, altior .... 17

,, ,, elegans ... 17

vandesms .... 16

,, ., gracilior . . 16

Cottidae 34

Cottus gobio 34

Crucian Carp 23, 24

Cyprinidae 22

,, pharyngeals . . 22, 23

scales .... 23,24

Cyprinus carpio .... 23, 24

Dace 27

Eel 21

Elver 21,22

Esocidae 20

Esox luchis 20

Flounder 36

Gadidae 32

Gastrosteidae 35

Gastrostens aculcatim .... 35

GiUaroo Trout 15

Gobio gobio 25

Grayling 11, IS

Grey Mullet 34

,, ,, Golden .... 34

Thick-lipped . . 34

,, Thin-lipped ... 34

Grilse 12,14

;8

Index.

I'AGE

Gudgeon 25

Gwyniad 17

Houting 17

Hybrid Bleak 31

Bream SO

,. Roach and Rudd . . . 29

Kelt, Salmon 13, 14

Ki Harney Shad 20

Lampern 9, 10

Lamjpetra JJnviafilis .... 10

„ p/ft?u'.'i 10

Lamprey 8

Planer's 10

River 10

Sea 9

Leptocpphalus 21, 22

Lcuciscus cephalns ... 23, 26 ., leuciscns .... 27

Leven Trout 1.5

Loach 32

,, Spilled 32

., Stone 32

Lota lota 32

Melvin Char 15

Miller's Thumb 34

^Minnow 26

Morone labra.r 34

Miigil anratiiK .34

,, capita 34

,, chelo 34

^lugilidao 34

NemachiluR barbatuluK ... 32

Osmeridae IS

Osmerus eperlanus 18

Parr, Salmon 12, 14

Perca fluviatilis 83

Perch 8,33

Porcidae 33

Fetromyzon maiinus .... 9

Petromyzonidae 8

Pharyngeals of Cyprinidae . 22, 23 Phoxinus phoxinus .... 26 Pike 20

	PAGE
Plcuroncctcs Jlcstis .	. . 30
Pleuronectidae ....	. SO
P.illan	. 16
,, Lough Erne . .	. . 17
Lough Neagh .	. . 16
Shannon	. . 17
Pope ......	. . 34
Po\Yan	11,17
Pride	9
Pijgosfciis pungitiiifi .	. 35
Raiiibjw Trout ....	. 15
Roach	23, 28
Rudd	28,28
Ruffe	33, 84
Rutilus ruiihis	. 28, 28
Salmo , . ...	. 11
Salvia ferox ....	. 14
,, salar ....	. 11
„ trutta	. 14
Salmon	. 11
Salmon Kelt ....	18,14
Parr ....	12,14
,, scales ....	. . 13
,, Small Spring .	12,14
„ Smolt ....	12,14
Salmonidae	. 11
Salrelhuts .....	11,15
lllpi)l2lS .	. 15
(jraciUirmis .	. 15
grayi . . .	. 15
killineiisis .	. 16
„ viaxillaiis .	. 16
„ willughbii .	. 16
Scales of Clupeidae	. 24
,, „ Cyprinidae .	23,24
,, ,, Gadidae .	. 24
,, Percidae. . .	. 24
,, .. Pleuronectidae .	. 24
,, ,, Salmonidae . . --	13, 24
Scardinius crythropliihahnun	23, 28
Schelly	. 17
Sea Lamprey	9
Sea Trout	. 14
Serranidae	. 34
Shad, Allis	. 19
,, Killarney	. 20
,, Twaitc ....	. 19
Smelt	. 18

Index.

PAGE

Smolt, Salmon 12, 14

Trout 14

Spinod Loach 32

Stickleback, Ten-spined ... 35

,, Three-spincd . . 35

Stone Loach 32

Sturgeon 10

Tench 28,26

Ten-spined Stickleback ... 85 Three-spiued ,. ... 35

Thymallus 11

,, tliiimalliiii .... 18 Tinea tinea 23, 26

I'AGK

Trout 7,8,11,12,14

Gillaroo 15

Great Lake 14

Loch Leven 15

Rainbow 15

Sea 14

Smolts 14

Twaite Shad V.)

Vendace

Cumberland Lochmaben

11,16 . 16 . 16

Whitefish 16

m

i

BEITISH MUSEUM (NATUEAL HISTOEY), Ckomwbll Eoad, London, S.W.

GUIDE BOOKS, Etc.

General Guide to the Museum, 8vo. 3d.

Guide to the Races of Mankind (Anthropology), 8vo. 4d.

Galleries of Mammals, 8vo. 9d.

Great Game Animals, Bvo. Is.

■ Elephants (Recent and Fossil), Bvo. 6d.

— ~ Horse Family, 8vo. Is.

Donjesticated Animals (other than Horses), 8vo. 6d.

Whales, Porpoises, and Dolphins (order Cetacea), 8vo. Ad.

Gallery of Birds, 4to. 2s. Qd.

■ General Series of Birds, 4to. 6d.

Nesting Series of British Birds, 4to. 4td.

Gallery of Reptilia and Amphibia, 8yo. Is.

Gallery of Fishes, 8vo. Is.

British Vertebrates, 8vo. Is.

Insect Gallery, 8vo. Is.

Crustacea, Arachnida, Onychophora and Myriopoda, 8vo. Is.

Shell and Starfish Galleries, 8vo. 6d.

Coral Gallery, 8vo. Is.

Fossil Remains of Man, 8vo. 4^.

Fossil Mammals and Birds, 8vo. 6d.

Fossil Reptiles and Fishes, 8vo. 9d.

Fossil Invertebrate Animals, 8vo. Is.

Mineral Gallery, 8vo. Id.

The Student's Index to the Collection of Minerals, 8vo. 2d. An Introduction to the Study of Minerals, with a Guide to the Mineral Gallery, 8vo. 6d.

^ to the Study of Rocks, 8vo. Is.

to the Study of Meteorites, 8vo. Is.

Guide to Sowerby's Models of British Fungi, 8vo. Ad.

Drawings of Field and Cultivated Mushrooms, and Poisonous

or Worthless Fungi, 8vo. Is.

the British Mycetozoa, 8vo. 3d.

List of British Seed-plants and Ferns, 8vo. Ad. •

Special Guides : No. 2. History of Plant Classification, 8vo. Ad.

= No. 5. Exhibition of Bible Animals, Plants, and

Minerals, 8vo. 6^.

No. 6. Flight Exhibition, 8vo. 6d.

No. 7. Specimens and Enlarged Models of Disease

Insects and Ticks in Central Hall, 8vo. Qd. Handbook of Instructions for Collectors, 8vo. Is. 6d. ; or in 13 separate

sections, at 3d. each. Economic Series : No. 1. The House-Fly as a Danger to Health, 8vo. Id.

No. 2. The Louse and its Relation to Disease, 8vo. Id.

No. 3. Fleas as a Menace to Man and Domestic

Animals, 8vo. Id.

No. 4. Mosquitoes and their Relation to Disease, 8vo.

Id.

The above-mentioned Guide-books, etc., can be obtained at the Natural History Museum, Cromwell Boad, London, S.W. Postage extra. Written communications respecting them should be addressed to The Directoe.

BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY).

DAYS AND HOURS OF ADMISSION.

The Galleries are open to the Public, free, as follows : —

Week-Days.

Daily. — Central Hall (Special Exhibits), North Hall (Domesticated Animals, etc.), Bird Gallery, Upper and Lower Mammal Galleries, Shell Gallery, and Botanical Gallery.

On Mondays, Wednesdays, and FHdays. — Fossil Mammal Gallery, Fossil Reptile Gallery, and Mineral Gallery. (Eastern side.)

On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. — Coral Gallery, Starfish Gallery, Reptile Gallery, Insect Gallery, Fish Gallery, and Whale Room. (Western side.)

Sundays.

Central Hall, North Hall, Bird Gallery, Mammal Galleries (including Whale Room), Fossil Mammal Gallery, Fossil Reptile Gallery, and Mineral Gallery.

The Hom-s of Admission are :—	-
On Wkek-Days, throughout the year from 10 a.m., in
January ....	,	to 4 p.ra
February 1 to 14 .				„ 4.30 „
„ 15 to end.				,, 5 „
March .....				„ 5.30 „
April to August (inclusive)				„ 6 „
September ....				„ 5.30 „
October ....				„ 5 „
November and December				», 4 „
On SuNi^YS, in
January ....	. from 2	to 4 p.m
February 1 to 14		. „ 2	„ 4.30 „
,, 1/3 to end.		. „ 2	„ 5 „
March ....		. » 2	„ 5.30 „
April ....		. „ 2	„ 6 „
May to August (inclusive)		. „ 2.30	„ 7 ..
September		. „ 2	„ 5.30 ,.
October ....		. „ 2	„ 5 .,
November and December			2	., 4 „

The following Galleries are closed continuously for the duration of the W^ar, viz. : — Fossil Fishes ; Fossil Ceplialopods ; other Fossil Shells, etc. ; Fossil Corals and Sponges, and Fossil Plants ; Stratigraphical and Special Palseontological Collections.

The Museum is closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day.

By Order of the Trustees,

LAZARUS FLETCHER, Director.

LONDON : PKIKTEI) liV WILLIAM CLOWES AND SON!?, LTI>. , bL'KE STREET, bTAMFORD STREET, S.eJ

British Museum (Natural History)

Dept, Ox Zoology

Guide to the British fresh- water fishes

BioMed

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