482 



Fishes. 



THE BARBEL. (Cyprinus Barbus.) 



THE BARBEL is readily distinguished from the other carps 

 by the four barbs or wattels attached to its rnouth. Its 

 upper jaw is very considerably extended beyond the 

 lower jaw. The Lea, the Thames, and various other 

 rivers in the neighbourhood of London, abound in this 

 fish, which affords excellent sport to the angler. " During 

 summer," says Mr. Gorrell, " this fish, in shoals, fre- 

 quents the weedy parts of the river ; but as soon as 

 the weeds begin to decay in autumn it seeks the deeper 

 water, and shelters itself near piles, locks, and bridges, 

 which it frequents till the following spring." It is 

 sometimes found to weigh from fifteen to eighteen pounds, 

 and to measure three feet in length, but its usual length 

 is from twelve to eighteen inches. The flesh is coarse 

 and unsavory, and held in no estimation. 



THE DACE, (Cyprinus leuciscus,) 



RESEMBLES the chub in its form, but is smaller, and of a 

 lighter colour ; it is gregarious and remarkably prolific. 

 It is seldom more than ten inches in length ; the back is 

 of a dusky colour, tinged with yellow and green, and the 

 sides have a silvery cast. 



