72 



BOTTA. 



This genus was constituted by Dr. John Edward Gray for the 

 reception of those Loaches which possess a spine on the fore part of 

 the face, a little behind the nostrils. The other characters are the 

 Same as in the genus Colitis. 



Several of these fishes are thus armed in India, but tliere is only 

 one in our own country. 



SPINED LOACH. 



Colitis Taenia, LiNN^us. Ouvier. Bloch: PI. 31, f. 2. 



" " Jenyns; Manual, p. 417. 



Gohitis Taenia, Fleming; British Animals, p. 189. 



Botia Taenia, Yarrell; British Fishes, vol. i, p. 432. 



Among the older naturalists there is much confusion in 

 distinguishing this species from the more common Loach; and 

 indeed so far as regards their habits little is known of the 

 particulars in which they differ; the principal being that this 

 Spined Loach keeps in more muddy places, and is more inclined 

 to shelter itself within the soil. It is also more retentive of 

 life. Although it is well known on the continent, it has not 

 yet been discovered in Ireland; and in Britain it has been 

 recorded in only a few rivers, although perhaps on closer search 

 it may be found in several others. The counties of Nottingham, 

 Wilts., Cambridge, Warwick, and, I believe, Gloucester, are 

 mentioned as containing this fish, but it seems not to find a 

 home in any very rapid streams. 



The use of the remarkable bifid spine on the superior portion 

 of the face, which constitutes the principal generic character, 

 and seems to-be moveable at the will of the fish, is uncertain; 

 but perhaps it may be employed in the way of defence after 

 the manner of the more powerful instrument that arms the 



