358 B A R B E L. Class IV. 



of food, but towards autumn* and during winter* 

 confine themfelves to the deeped holes. 



They are the word and coarfeft of frefh water 

 filh, and feldom eat but by the poorer fort of peo- 

 ple, who fometime boil them with a bit of bacon 

 to give them a relifh. The roe is very noxious, 

 affecting thofe who unwarily eat of it with a nau- 

 fea, vomiting, purging, and a (light fwelling. 

 Des crip. It is fometimes found of the length of three 

 feet, and eighteen pounds in weight : it is of a 

 long and rounded form : the fcales not large. 



Its head is fmooth : the noftrils placed near the 

 eyes : the mouth is placed below : on each corner 

 is a fingle beard, and another on each fide the 

 nofe. 



The dorfal fin is armed with a remarkable 

 ftrong fpine, fharply ferrated, with which it can 

 inflict a very fevere wound on the incautious han- 

 dler, and even do much damage to the nets. 



The pectoral fins are of a pale brown color; 

 the ventral and anal tipped with yellow : the tail a 

 little bifurcated, and of a deep purple : the fide 

 line is (trait. 



The fcales are of a pale gold color, edged with 

 black : the belly is white. 



Tinea, 



