FISHES OF THE DISTRICT 201 



loach does not exceed more than a couple of inches 

 in length, but Richardson, the old Cumberland 

 naturalist, says, " We saw one in the Vennet in 

 Westmorland, which measured 5 inches ; the largest 

 here [he is writing of the Ullswater district] not 

 more than 4. They are held in estimation by 

 anglers, as a bait for trout, being tougher skinned 

 than the minime. Vulgarly called Lob-loach." 



In many parts of the district the loach proves a 

 deadly bait for trout 1 when used on a "night-line " 

 in most rivers a prohibited instrument and eels 

 are very fond of it. In fact, to those who use 

 " night-lines " the eel is a great nuisance, because it 

 generally takes the bait before a trout has time to 

 do so. 



A close cousin to the loach, and the only other 

 British fish of the same genus, is the SPINED-LOACH 

 or GROUNDLING, a much rarer species than the 

 foregoing, and less widely distributed. 



Of the STICKLEBACKS the following species are 

 found in the Lake District : 



The THREE-SPINED STICKLEBACK (Gastrosteus 

 aculeatus). A variety of this also occurs, viz. the 

 SMOOTH-TAILED STICKLEBACK. 



The FOUR-SPINED STICKLEBACK (Gastrosteus 

 spinulosus], 



The TEN-SPINED STICKLEBACK (Gastrosteus 

 pungitius}. Over a century ago Richardson men- 

 tions this as occurring in Ullswater, and adds that 

 it is vulgarly called " Prickly Dick." 



The sticklebacks are found in most of the rivers 

 and brooks of the district, in the large lakes, and in 



1 Upon one occasion, spinning a natural minnow, a friend 

 of the writer took a Ib. trout which had a live loach in its 

 mouth. 



