3 COMMON LOCHE. 



an inhabitant of clear rivulets, where it commonly 

 resides at the bottom among gravel, &c. and is 

 on that account called in some parts of England 

 by the name of Groundling. It is well described 

 by Mr. Pennant, who informs us that it sometimes, 

 though rarely, arrives at the length of four inches 

 and three quarters, though it is generally found 

 much smaller, viz. about three inches in length : 

 the mouth is small, placed beneath, and destitute of 

 teeth : on the upper mandible are six small beards, 

 viz. one at each corner of the mouth, and four at 

 the end of the nose : the body is smooth, slippery, 

 and almost of an uniform thickness throughout : 

 the colour of the head, back, and sides is in some 

 white, in others of a dirty yellow, very elegantly 

 marked with large spots consisting of numberless- 

 minute black specks : the pectoral, dorsal, and 

 caudal fins are also spotted : the belly and ventral 

 fins are of a pure white : the tail broad, and a little 

 rounded. Dr. Bloch informs us that this fish is 

 covered with small scales ; a particular which seems 

 to have escaped the attention of the generality of 

 describers : he also informs us that the Loche dies 

 very soon after being taken out of the water, and 

 even when it is placed for any length of time in 

 still water; and as it is a fish which is supposed 

 very soon to lose its fine flavour, it is usual to 

 agitate from time to time the vessel of water in 

 which it is carried to any distance in order to be 

 dressed for the table. In point of delicacy it is 

 said to be equal, if not superior, to most other 

 fishes, and is cultivated with much care in some 



