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 1 8 Ib. ; but the heaviest authenticated 

 captures of recent years are two fish of 12 Ib. 7 oz. and 

 12 Ib. i 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 Ib. ; 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 larvae, 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 1 5th to June 1 6th. The female spawns in the shallower 

 parts of running water, preparing a " redd " 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 



