THE SPINED LOACH 217 



of the prsefrontal bone, which has the form of an 

 erectile bifid spine ; when at rest this Hes in a 

 groove below the eye. The body is more com- 

 pressed than in the Stone Loach, and the coloration 

 is different, there being a regular series of dark 

 brown or blackish oblong or oval spots along each 

 side of the body. 



This is generally a smaller species than the pre- 

 ceding, but may attain a length of 4 inches or more. 

 It is found all over Europe, and also extends 

 through Siberia to Corea, northern China, and 

 Japan. In the British Isles it may perhaps not 

 be so rare as is generally supposed, for on account 

 of its habits it is not easily observed ; it has been 

 recorded from a few localities in England, but is 

 not known from Scotland, Wales, or Ireland. 



It prefers clear brooks with a sandy or gravelly 

 bottom, and often lies still among the stones, or 

 buried in the sand with only the head exposed. 

 Like the Stone Loach it is more active at night, 

 and feeds on worms, shrimps, and larvae. It uses 

 the pair of spines on the head as weapons, and if 

 caught in the hand will erect them and stab into 

 the flesh. 



This species spawns at about the same season 

 as the Stone Loach ; it is said to be worthless as 

 food, and has no value for any other purposes, so 

 that its scarcity in our waters need not concern us 

 greatly. 



