THE LOACH. 139 



fins are red. It is found in England and Ireland, and 

 frequents the same kind of rivers and ponds as other 

 members of this family. The Bleak ( Cyprinus alburnus, 

 or Leudscus alburnus) is a small fish, dark-greenish, 

 with a white belly. Formerly the scales of the Bleak 

 were used for making pearls. They are said to be 

 useful in devouring much decaying matter in the river 

 Thames, and thus helping to purify the stream. The 

 Bleak is from 4 to 8 inches long. 



The well-known little Minnow, Cypnnus phoxinus, 

 is a pretty little creature ; in spawning-time the 

 colour of the male is green and red. They are said 

 to be good to eat when pickled, and might form a 

 kind of fresh-water sardine. The Minnows are every- 

 where scattered in our pools, ponds, and rivers, and 

 are much devoured by larger fish ; yet they do not 

 seem to decrease. 



THE LOACH. 



The Loach (Cobitis barbatula) has six barbules 

 about its mouth. It is common ; but hiding itself 

 among the stones and gravel, is often overlooked. 

 It is slimy and difficult to hold. 



There is a smaller species, the Spined Loach or 



