2 'HE BARBEL. 39 



name, and which consists of a pair of wattles 

 pendant from either jaw. The precise mode in 

 which these appendages are utilised by the fish 

 in seeking out or providing food is not clear, but 

 that in some manner they assist in the search, if 

 not in the capture, there can be no question. 



The barbel is the very hog of fishes ; it feeds 

 at the bottom, "routling" like a pig with its long 

 snout among the stones, rotten weeds, and debris 

 at the bottom of the stream. It is omnivorous, 

 feeding largely on water-weed as well as worms, 

 insects, fish, and garbage. That it feeds on the 

 first we assert from the unanimous testimony of 

 Thames fishermen ; on the fourth, from the fact of 

 our having frequently taken the fish while spinning 

 for jack ; and that it feeds on the last we assume 

 from the fact of greaves being an excellent bait for 

 it. Worms, however, are the ordinary bait used, 

 and you often take barbel while fishing for roach 

 with gentles. 



Although voracious when on the feed, and by 

 no means particular either as to the nature or 

 quality of its food, no other fish which we are 

 acquainted with is so capricious as the barbel. 

 When they are in a taking mood, the well of the 

 punt may be filled with them in a few hours; but 

 one may fish for days or weeks without feeling a 



