S PINED LOACH, OR GROUNDLING. 67 



npHE Spined Loach is a very small fish, seldom exceeding three inches in length, and but 

 -L little known in this country. It is said to occur in the Trent near Nottingham, in the 

 clear streams of Wiltshire, Warwickshire, and Cambridgeshire. Its habits are probably similar 

 to those of the Stone-Loach. According to Siebold, the Spined Loach— the Dorngrundel or 

 Steinbisser of the Germans — is the smallest of the species known on the Continent, never 

 exceeding four inches at most. "Its propagation is similar to that of the Bissgitrre {Codiiis 

 /ossilis), and it lives in concealment like it, only with this difference, that it does not increase 

 to the same extent, and chooses for its abode brooks and streams as well as ponds." 



The spawning time is during the warm months of spring. 



The spine is forked and moveable, but what its functions may be I know not ; I have 

 been unable to get hold of a specimen of this fish. According to Yarrell, the form of the 

 body is still more elongated, slender, and compressed than that of the Loach ; the nose 

 more pointed ; the mouth and eyes smaller in proportion ; the pectoral fin longer and nar- 

 rower ; all the fins occupy 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 is the most 

 conspicuous. 



The fin -ray formula is said to be 



Dorsal 8 (but lo according to Giinther). 

 Pectoral 9. 

 Ventral 6 — 7. 

 Anal -• 



