486 



Fishes. 



THE LOACH, (Colitis larbatula,) 



WHICH also belongs to the family of the carps, is a small 

 fish, with six barbs at the mouth. It inhabits small, 

 gravelly streams, and lies at the bottom among the stones ; 

 it is easily caught with a small worm. 



It is considered an extremely well-flavoured fish, 

 though, on account of its small size, and the difficulty 

 of catching a sufficient quantity, seldom seen at table. 

 The Loach is very sensitive to atmospheric changes, 

 which it shows by its restless movements. They have 

 sometimes been kept alive in glass vessels, in which 

 state they indicate the approach of storms with almost 

 the accuracy of a barometer. 



THE BULL-HEAD, OB MILLER'S THUMB, 

 (Cottus gobio,) 



Is found in clear brooks and rivers in most parts ot 

 Europe. It is from four to five inches long ; the head is 

 large in proportion to the body, broad and depressed ; the 

 gill fins round, and beautifully notched. The mouth is 

 large and full of small teeth ; the general colour of the 

 body is a dark brownish black. This fish is remarkably 

 stupid, and may be caught with ease by the most inex- 



