THE HABITS AND HAUKTS OF FISH. 33 



sixteen pounds or more. They abound in the Trent for 

 many miles about and below Nottingham. During the 

 hot months, after spawning (which operation is effected 

 amongst weeds, roots, etc., around which substances they 

 entwine the ova in a rope-like form) they seek deep slow- 

 running streams, near the bottom of which they lie. A 

 cold climate does not appear to suit the barbel. In more 

 southern latitudes, as in the Danube and the Khine, it is 

 said to occasionally reach fifty or even sixty pounds. In 

 Scotland this fish does not appear at all. With the ad- 

 vent of frosty weather in the fall, they leave the still 

 deeps and holes, and may be found at the bends of rivers, 

 near bridges, flood-gates, locks, and weirs, which form 

 their haunts during the winter season. Here they are 

 often taken, in favorable circumstances, in heavy quanti- 

 ties by practical adepts. The mouth of the barbel is 

 situate much lower than is the case with most fish. It is 

 a flat- stomached fish, with a hog-shaped head and snout. 

 The fore-barbs, or wattles, attached to the end of the lat- 

 ter, and appended to the corners of the mouth, are plen- 

 tifully encompassed by nerves, which serve as feelers to 

 the fish whilst foraging amongst gravel, etc., in the bed 

 of the water. It belongs to the carp family, and is noted 

 for its subtlety and wiliness. Barbel are in the best con- 

 dition in August and September. 



CARP (Ciprinus carpio)* do not thrive in northern 

 latitudes; like the barbel, they attain much greater di- 

 mensions in temperate and southern climes. It is sup- 

 posed by some that the whole carp family are not indige- 

 nous to this country, which may be very probable; but 

 nothing is certainly known of the period or source of 

 their original introduction. The naturalist Linnaeus 

 affirms that carp were first brought to England about the 

 year 1600, but this assuredly is erroneous, as in Dame 



* This variety or scaled species has been introduced in our waters. 



