BARBEL, DESCRIPTION OF. 



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THE BARBEL. Cyprinus barbus. 



This bluish-white carp is a lazy, wallowing 

 gentleman, and the Launcelot Grobbo of the sub- 

 aqueous pantries and cellars. The sound of the 

 smacking of his lips tells you how fond he is of a 

 good morsel. He acknowledges its receipt by the 

 best music he can make, and yet what a shame it 

 is that food should be thrown away upon this 

 rather fine, though somewhat lubberly-looking, 

 animal ! So it is, however, and let him swallow 

 good things ever so swiftly let him be worm or 

 gentle-crammed his flesh is never the better for 

 it, and his muscular tissues remain so flaccid and 

 all his fibres so flabby, even whilst noting in the 



