File:A history of the fishes of the British Islands (1862) (14776333772).jpg

Identifier: historyoffisheso04couch (find matches)
Title: A history of the fishes of the British Islands
Year: 1862 (1860s)
Authors: Couch, Jonathan, 1789-1870 Lydon, A. F
Subjects: Fishes
Publisher: London, Groombridge and Sons
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries

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ees with several others ofthis family, that it is found only in rivers which possess agood depth and supply of water; and also that it manifestsmuch sensibility to changes of temperature in the differentseasons. But, on the other hand, it prefers those streams inwhich the water flows with some considerable rapidity alonga clean bottom of sand or gravel; and so needful to itswell-being is a supjily of what is afforded by a current, thatit is not easy to keep it alive in a tank, or within the narrowlimits of a pond. It is necessary, however, that its native streamshould possess some safe and shaded pits or deeper recesses,to which it may retreat from danger, of the slightest appearanceof which it is timidly sensible; and also where it may hidewhen the sun -shines hot, and during the colder season of theyear. From some causes connected with this repugnancy to stillor stagnant water, or to the want of congenial retreat, thisfish does not exist in the rivers of the north of Scotland, or in
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CHUB. -45 the west of England; and if any attempt has been made tointroduce it into these districts—of which, however, we havenot received any information—it has not been successful. Norindeed, except for curiosity, is its conveyance likely to beattempted; for the Chub does not possess a reputation as foodthat is likely to induce any one to venture the task. TheRoman poet Ausonius in a few verses bestows on it thischaracter of being little worth, when he says:— In weedy sands the scale-clad Chub delights;Its sides thick-studded with sharp reed-like bones,Nor can we keep its flesh beyond six hours: in which last particular we must offer a correction to whatby a slip of the pen was advanced when speaking of the GreyMullet. It is the Chub and not the Mullet, that in the poetryof Ausonius bears the name of Capito. The most esteemedportion of this fish was supposed to be the head, the stoutnessor thickness of the sides of which appear to have given occasionto the name, as well perhap

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