CHAPTER IX. 



THE BARBEL. 



THE barbel (Barbus vulgaris) is distinct in its chief characteristics from, 

 the cyprinus genus by reason of its anal and dorsal fins being shorter, 

 its having a bony spine in the back fin, and possessing four barbs 

 instead of two only. Its principal features are thus technically de- 

 scribed by Mr. Pennell : Mouth toothless, throat teeth in three rows 

 on each side, the rows numbering 2, 3, and 5 respectively. Body 

 elongated. Length of head compared with total length of fish as 1 

 to 5. Depth of body less than length of head. Head elongated, 

 wedge-shaped, upper half of jaw much the longer, upper lip circular 

 and fleshy, one pair of barbel at front of nose and a single one at 

 the end of upper lip at each side. Third ray of back, fin largest and 

 strongest-toothed on its hinder surface. Tail deeply forked at the end. 

 Colour : general hue of upper part of head and body greenish-brown, 

 becoming yellowish-green on side; cheeks, gill cover, and scales tinged 

 with bronze ; belly white ; back and tail fins brown, tinged with red ; 

 pectoral, ventral, and anal fins pale red. 



The fecundity of the barbel is great. It spawns from May till July, 

 according to season. As many as 10,000 are sometimes laid by a 

 female of some 61b. or 71b., and they are immediately covered up by the 

 parent fish. The spots selected are usually shallow, and the fishes 

 make a nest somewhat after the style of the salmonidce. Like the 

 salmon also, the old infecund cock fish may often be observed tearing 

 up the spawn beds and eating the eggs. 



Barbus vulgaris is well known in almost all European rivers. After 

 the difficulties of the spawning season are surmounted, they make 

 their way into the strongest streams, and occupy themselves in scouring 

 and improving their strength and appearance by eating enormous 

 quantities of water insects. Izaak Walton accounts for the astonishing 



