FISHES MALACOPTERYGII
- 96. Salmon. Salmo salar, Linn.
Although salmon have disappeared from all our Essex rivers, they are still taken in nets on various portions of the coast and in the mouths of most of the rivers. And few years pass without several being taken in the ' keddles ' on the sands of Foulness. Com- mon as they were in years gone by in the Thames it seems hopeless to expect them ever again to ascend that river to their old ' redds.'
- 97. Sea Trout. Salmo trutta, Linn.
The same statements may be made with reference to this fish as the last. They are occasionally caught in the mouths of the rivers and in the Foulness ' keddles,' and would no doubt pass on to the fresh waters of several of our streams were it not for obstacles or impurities rendering such a proceeding im- possible. "98. Brown Trout. So/mo fario, Linn. Common as this fish is all over Britain it is rare in Essex, and excepting in the Lea it only occurs in our streams as the result of artificial stocking. And generally speaking it may be said that wherever introduced it has done well. In the Roding it was introduced about 1 88 1 by Mr. Rodwell, and in the Roman river, a feeder of the Colne, by the Rev. Mr. Marsh about 1860. Since this time it has been introduced into the Chelmer, Black- water and Stour.
- 99- Grayling. Thymallus vexiilifer, Linn.
This is said to occur in the Cam, and therefore is possibly an inhabitant of that part of this river which rises in and flows through Essex. Day says (Fishes of Great Britain, ii. 135) a large batch of fry were placed in the Lea in 1863.
- 100. Smelt. Osmerus eper Janus, Linn.
Considerable numbers of this delicious fish are caught in all our rivers when they come up to spawn. They appear to be generally abundant up to the tide limit, and where it is possible for them to get still higher they are also frequent, but are only fished for in the mouths of the rivers.
- IOI. Houting. Coregonus oxyrhynchus,
Linn. Of this apparently rare British fish I saw in 1886 several examples which had been captured in the smelt nets in the Colne. And as it is frequently seen in boxes of Dutch smelts it is probably much more common in Holland than in this country. This is rather strange when we consider the nearness of the Dutch coast. O2. Anchovy. Engraulis encrasicholus, Linn. Day (Fishes of Great Britain, ii. 207) gives instances of the capture of this fish on the Essex coast, and Yarrell (i. 153) says : 'It is reported to be at this time an inhabitant of the piece of water below Blackwall called Dagenham Breach. 103. Herring. Clupea harengus, Linn. This occurs commonly all round the coast, but there is no special fishery for it, although a few are still taken in drift nets in the estuary of the Blackwater. 104. Pilchard. Clupea pilcbardus, Linn. Is occasionally taken on the coast. Dale gives it in his list of Harwich fish, and says (Hist, of Harwich, p. 432) : ' It is rare, but is occasionally brought among herrings to market.' Day says (Fishes of Great Britain, ii. 230) Yarrell obtained one in May, 1838, from the mouth of the Thames. 105. Sprat. Clupea sprattus, Linn. Enormous numbers of this fish are taken off" our coast by the stow-boat fishermen, and used for manure, besides those sent to market in London and the northern towns for food. Unfortunately for our fishermen they have been comparatively scarce for the last two or three seasons, apparently having changed their habitat, and are now found in all parts of the English Channel as far west as Cornwall.
- IO6. Allis Shad. Clupea alosa, Linn.
Rare. Day (Fishes of Great Britain, ii. 236), quoting Yarrell, mentions one being taken in the Thames above Putney in 1831. Jenyns describes it (Brit. Pert. Animals, p. 438) as 'occasionally, though rarely, taken in the Thames.'
- 107. Twait Shad. Clupea finta, Cuv.
This is occasionally common in the Colne. Many were taken by the smelt fishermen in August, 1 886, and one was caught on Novem- ber 29, 1886, at East Bridge, Colchester, which point is the tide limit. Jenyns says (Brit. ytrt. Animals, p. 438) it is very abundant in the Thames. APODES
- 1 08. Eel. /fnguilla vu/garis, Turton.
Very common in streams and ponds every- where. 227
