SP1NED LOCHE. 



433 



states that it inhabits the clear streams of Wiltshire; William 

 Thompson, Esq. has found it in Warwickshire ; and the Rev. 

 Leonard Jenyns has found it in the Lodes, or Leads, as they 

 are called, "which run into the Cam. Its habits are but little 

 known, or have not been distinguished from those of the 

 more common Loach. It is called Groundling from its habit 

 of lurking under stones in search of larvse and insects. 

 Bloch says it spawns in April or May, and deposits its ova 

 among stones on the bottom. It seldom exceeds three inches 

 in length. By the kindness of Mr. Jenyns, I possess two 

 specimens from Cambridgeshire, from one of which the repre- 

 sentation, of the natural size, at the head of this article, was 

 taken. The fin-rays in number are = 



D. 8 : P. 9 : V. 7 : A. 6 : C. 15. 



The form of the body is still more elongated, slender, and 

 compressed, than that of the Loach ; the nose more pointed ; 

 the mouth and the eyes smaller in proportion ; the pectoral 

 fin longer and narrower ; all the fins occupying the same 

 relative situation. The colours are similar, both of the body 

 and fins ; but a row of dark brown spots ranged along the 

 side are the most conspicuous. 



VOL. I. 



