120 BRITISH FRESH-WATER FISHES 
body ; but as a rule the body and fin colouring is uniform and 
without the mottle which distinguishes some other European 
species. The throat and belly are pure white. The barbel 
attains a considerable size in this country, but the multitude 
and diligence of anglers have rendered big fellows much more 
scarce than of yore. It is reported that they used to be taken 
in the Thames up to 18 lb.; but the heaviest authenticated 
captures of recent years are two fish of 12 lb. 7 oz. and 
12 lb. 1 oz. respectively, both taken in 1895 from the Newbury 
water of the Piscatorial Society, and now preserved in their 
collection. In warmer climates they grow to greater propor- 
tions : travellers tell of barbel in the Volga of 40 Ib. and 
50 lb. ; but then, the Volga is a long way off! In England it 
was enacted under Queen Elizabeth that he who should take a 
barbel less than twelve inches in length should be fined twenty 
shillings and forfeit his gear. 
In habits the barbel is a sociable fish, tending to collect in 
shoals, a propensity which anglers know how to increase by 
liberal ground-baiting. They are ground-feeders, 
and not very fastidious or cleanly ones. They grub 
in the mud for worms and larve, and rejoice in the most filthy 
substances discharged in sewage; wherefore the activity of 
the Thames Conservancy Board and the County Councils in 
purifying the Thames must have deprived barbel of some of 
their favourite comestibles. From the great length of the 
intestine it has been inferred that much of their diet consists of 
vegetable growth. 
Barbel spawn in May, and therefore get the full benefit 
of the close-time provided under Mr. Mundella’s Act, from 
March 15th to June 16th. The female spawns in the shallower 
parts of running water, preparing a “edd” somewhat after the 
manner of salmon. After spawning, they repair to the swift 
shallows below weirs, and make a fine display rolling on the 
gravel and cleaning themselves. 
In winter, like many other cyprinoid fish, they go through 
Habits. 
