266 GUDGEON. 



Barbels are said to obtain at least a considerable part of 

 their food by rooting, like swine, with their noses, in 

 the soft earth and mud of the banks. They associate in 

 considerable shoals, and are so tame that they may some- 

 times be caught with the hand. The flesh of the Barbel 

 is so coarse as to be of no esteem as food. 



They are of a long and rounded form, and sometimes 

 weigh so much as sixteen or eighteen pounds. The mouth 

 is situated beneath the head. At each corner there is a 

 single beard, and another on each side of the nose. The 

 anal fin has seven rays, and the second dorsal fin is ser- 

 rated on both sides. The scales are of a pale gold colour, 

 edged with black ; and the belly is white. The pectoral 

 fins are brown; the ventral and anal fins are tipped with 

 yellow, and the tail is purple. 



Gudgeon. In clear streams, where the bottom is gra- 

 velly, these little fish are frequently to be seen swimming 

 in small shoals. They never rise high in the water; but 

 feed near the gravel, on worms, or the young fry of other 

 fish. They eagerly seize a bait, and are to be caught 

 even by the most inexpert angler with great ease; par- 

 ticularly if the bed of the stream be raked or stirred up, 

 since they will eagerly collect round the place, for the 

 purpose of feeding. They spawn in May, and are very 

 prolific. Their flesh is white, and excellent eating. 



The Gudgeon seldom exceeds the length of eight inches. 

 Its head is large, and body round. At each corner of the 

 mouth there is a short beard. The dorsal and ventral fins 

 are directly opposite to each other. The anal fin has 

 eleven rays, and is spotted with black ; the back is of an 

 olive colour, spotted with black ; the sides are silvery and 

 the belly is white. 



