190 



THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



CHAPTER XV. 



Observations of the Gudgeon, the Ruffe, and the Bleak ; and how to fish 



for them. 



PiscATOR. The Gudgeon* is reputed a fish of excellent taste, 



and to be very wholesome : he is of a fine shape, of a silver 

 color, and beautified with black spots both on his body and tail. 

 He breeds two or three times in the year, and always in sum- 

 mer. He is commended for a fish of excellent nourishment : 

 the Germans call hhii groundling, by reason of his feeding on 

 the groufid ; and he there feasts himself in sharp streams, and 

 on the gravel. He and the barbel both feed so, and do not 



* The gudgeon {Cyprinus Gobio of Linnaeus, Gobio Fhiviatilis of Wil- 

 loughby), a little fish which is large at half a pound weight. The gud- 

 geon spawns in May, and not, as our author says, " three times in the year, 

 and always in summer." Ausonius describes this little fish in the Mo- 

 selle : — 



Nor 'mongst the little cohorts may my song 

 Forget the gudgeon, twice four fingers long ; 

 Fat, graceful, barbel-like, with wattled gills. 

 While heavy spawn its teeming belly fills. 



(131-i.) 



The abundance of this fish, and the ease with which it is caught, has 

 given rise to a proverb. It must be nearly the same as our KiUy-Jish — 

 i.e., fish of Iho kills.— ./7m. Ed. 



