THE GUDGEON. 25 



hundred, while another catches a score one will 

 catch a score, while another catches a dozen. 



But before we approach the subject of catching 

 him, let us consider what he is. The gudgeon is 

 one of the " Cyprinidcz " a branch of the great 

 carp family, which, with a few exceptions, populate 

 the Thames. His scientific name is ^ Gobio" a 

 word originally applied to any fish of small value 

 " Gobiofluviatilis" and he enjoys, in common with 

 most other fishes therein contrasting favourably 

 with birds the advantage of having only one name, 

 English or Latin. The appearance of the gudgeon 

 is too well known to require description, but it 

 may be remarked that, like his cousin the barbel, 

 he is gifted with two small " barbules " pendant 

 from the angle on each side of his mouth. The 

 exact purpose of these appendages it is difficult to 

 assign, but no doubt they act in some way as 

 feelers, like the whiskers of a cat, and assist the fish, 

 which is essentially a bottom-feeder, in detecting its 

 prey in the gravel among which it loves to "routle." 



In fishing for the gudgeon, a lengthy rod is un- 

 necessary ; it is naturally a bold fish, greedy, and, 

 like most others which feed in shoals, ever anxious 

 to snatch the worm from its neighbour's mouth, 

 and almost proverbially easy of capture. The 

 gudgeon is not, in fact, more stupid than other fish ; 



