FISHES date 20 August, 1872, the capture of one at Barrow-on- Soar which weighed iyf lb., and measured 3 ft. in length. It was presented to the museum by Mr. Noble, of Barrow. Col. Palmer, writing in 1888, said that some very large pike had been taken out of the water at Withcote at different periods, one, a diseased fish, caught some fifteen years before measured 42 in. in length, but only weighed about 1 3 lb. It seemed to be invaded by a fungoid growth, and was buried at once. The late Dr. Macaulay had a speci- men which he caught at Wistow in October, 1872, which weighed 20 lb. He also related that about 1870 he was fishing at Saddington with the Rev. H. Matthews, when the latter hooked and lost a very large fish which broke his line. A week after the fish was found dead with the tackle in its throat. It weighed 25 lb., and would have been much more if in condition. OSTARIOPHYSI 9. Carp. Cyfrinui carpio, Linn. According to Harley it occurs in some parts of the River Soar, and abounds in pools such as those of Groby and Saddington. There are large carp, so Col. Palmer informed me, at Owston, where there appear to be remains of ancient monastic 'stews.' The Leicester Daily Express of 21 October, 1893, con- tained an account of the capture by Mr. C. Baugh, of Leicester, of a remarkably fine carp which measured 2 ft. 4 in., and weighed 12 lb. 9^ oz. Amongst other fish Mr. Baugh also caught another carp weighing 5% lb. These were, it now appears, taken at Coleorton, and a cast was made from the larger for the Leicester Museum. 10. Crucian Carp. Cyprinus carassius, Linn. Locally, Prussian Carp (varieties or lean ex- amples). Occurs sparingly in some ponds of Leicestershire. 1 1 . Barbel. Barbus vulgaris, Flem. According to Harley it occurred occasionally in the Soar, near its junction with the Trent and Derwent, and was frequently ought below Loughborough. I have no recent note. 12. Gudgeon. GobioJluviatiHs,$em.. Common in the Soar and in various parts of the county. The largest I have seen have been taken at Thornton Reservoir. 13. Rudd. Lcuciscuj erythrophthalmus, Linn. Locally, Red-eye. Harley stated that it occasionally occurred in the Soar ; and according to the late Dr. Macaulay it exists in a pool at Welham and attains a large size, two having been taken, in 1888, over 2 lb. each, but I have no confirmation of this. 14. Roach. Leuciscus rutilus, Linn. Commonly distributed. The museum possesses a cast of a specimen which turned the scale at 2 lb. The fish was taken in Narborough waters 5 October, 1886, by Mr. J. Pole. In the Leicester Journal of 13 January, 1888, an account is given of an extra- ordinary capture of large roach in Leicester waters, when in two days no less than 200 lb. of fish were caught by different anglers. These, many of which I saw, were taken at the junction of the Soar with the canal, just below the Aylestone Mill. Mr. B. G. Broadhead caught a roach weighing 2 lb. 2 oz. in the Aylestone Mill waters, on 15 December, 1888. The late R. Rylott, the celebrated cricketer, took one of I lb. 5 oz. weight, in Aylestone waters on I Novem- ber, 1889, and one of I lb. 6 oz. at the same place on 10 February, 1890, which he presented to the Leicester Museum. The late Dr. Macaulay informed me that in 1885 he and two friends caught at Sad- dington Reservoir 550 roach in four hours, which he believed to be the largest number on record for the time occupied. 15. Chub. Leuciscus cephalus, Linn. Generally distributed, attaining a good size. A specimen taken at Aylestone 6 February, 1883, by Mr. A. Smith, weighed 4^ lb. Mr. T. Lumb, of Wharf Street, presented to the museum an exceed- ingly fine specimen weighing 5 lb. 2 J oz., taken in the River Soar at Narborough on 27 P'ebruary, 1883, and also another weighing 5 lb. ^ oz., which he took in the afternoon of 6 February, 1885, whilst ledgering with fine tackle and cheese-paste. This fish afforded capital sport, some difficulty being experienced in landing it. The specimens were taken in the same swim of water about 80 yards apart, and both were in splendid condition. Mr. G. Lillingston Johnson, however, reports that he once caught one weigh- ing 6 lb. at Thornton Reservoir, which is now pre- served and in his possession. The late Rev. C. H. Wood informed me that about 1868 he took, out of Croft Brook with a small spoon bait, a chub which we'ghed 4lb. looz. 1 6. Dace. Leuciscus Joluta, Linn. (L. vulgaris, Day) Generally distributed in sharp streams and back- waters of the rivers. A specimen weighing 1 2 oz. was taken by Mr. J. W. Benskin in the Srar near Barrow, some years ago. The late Dr. Macaulay informed me that it existed in the Smeeton, Wis- tow, and Burton brooks. IJ. Minnow. Leuciscus phoxinus, Linn. Generally distributed in sharp streams throughout the county. 1 8. Tench. Tinea vulgaris, Cuv. Not very common, Harley stating that ' it does not frequent our streams and rivers, prevailing only in ponds, stagnant pools, reservoirs, and stews.' He also referred to its well-known habit of smacking its lips when near the surface in summer-time. Col. Palmer informed me that, at Owston, large tench are found with the carp in the ' stews ' previously referred to. Dr. J. Young, of Narborough, sent me a specimen caught at Enderby Mill 27 June, 1891. The Daily Mail of 8 March, 1902, reports that during the process of cleaning out Misterton Pond, near Lutter- worth, a remarkable haul of fish was made, irc'ud- ing sixty-five tench, weighing from 3 lb. upwards. Mr. C. Baugh, of Leicester, took also a tench weigh- ing 3 lb. oz. 109
