252 THE FRESH-WATER FISHES OF EUROPE. 



GENUS : Cobitis (AIITEDI). 



The genus Cobitis as restricted comprises a few species which are found in 

 Bengal and Assam, Japan and Europe. It has the elongated form of body 

 seen in Misgurnus and Nemachilus, to which it is closely allied; but the 

 body is more or less compressed, and the back is not arched. Below the eye 

 there is a small bifid sub-orbital spine, which is capable of being erected. 

 There are six barbels, which are limited to the upper jaw. As in the other 

 genera of the group, the air-bladder is contained in a bony capsule. The in- 

 sertion of the dorsal fin is opposite to the ventral, and the caudal is truncate, 

 or couvexly rounded. 



Cobitis taenia (LINNAEUS). Spinous Loach. 



D. 10, A. 7, V. (5, P. 67, C. 13. 



The distinctive pre-orbital spine, which constitutes one of the marked 

 generic distinctions of this fish, has secured for it the popular name of the 

 Spinous Loach ; and its habit of frequenting the bottom, and hiding under 



Fig. 142. COBITIS IVENIA (LINNTEUS). 



stones, has caused it to be known in many parts of the country as the Ground- 

 ling. In France it is la Locke de Riviere. In Germany it is Dorngrundel, 

 SteinpUzger, or Steinbeisser. In Holland it is the de Bleine Modder Kruider. 

 In Italy it is the Cobite fluvial e (Fig. 142). 



Its distribution is remarkable, being found throughout Europe from Scan- 

 dinavia to Spain. It, however, appears to be absent from Ireland, and it 

 is probably absent from the White Sea basin in Russia, while beyond the 

 Caucasus it is replaced by the C. aurata of Filippi, and C. nohenackeri of Brandt. 

 Though absent from continental Asia, it is recorded by Dr. Giinther from 

 Japan. 



