THE S PI NED LOACH i6i 



Linnaeus states that Frederick I. introduced the loach into 

 Sweden, because of its excellence on the table. 



The distribution of the British loach suggests some interesting 

 reflections, pointing to the high antiquity of the species. The 

 Carp Family are of such a plastic and variable constitution that 

 one would expect to find considerable local variation from the 

 original type of this species. Yet the loach is the same all over 

 its vast range, although its presence in westward-running 

 streams in Scotland and Ireland proves that the separation 

 between individuals must have been complete for almost 

 incalculable ages. It is so little tenacious of life as to die within 

 a very few moments of removal from the water ; wherefore 

 its occurrence in streams now far remote and disconnected from 

 each other can hardly be explained by the accidental transport 

 of young fish or spawn by means of birds. Altogether this 

 tiny fish offers one of the most interesting, and at the same 

 time perplexing, studies in British ichthyology. 



This species and the next are the only British fresh-water 

 fish that have the air-bladder enclosed in a bony capsule. 



The Spined Loach {Cohitus tania) 



Teeth. 

 Pharyngeal, in a single series. 



Fins. 

 Dorsal : lo rays. 

 Anal : 7 rays. 

 Ventral : 6 or 7 rays. 

 Pectoral : 6 to 9 rays. 

 Caudal : 13 rays. 



The genus Cobitis is distinguished from Ntmachilus^ which 

 it nearly resembles, by the presence of a small spine, bifid and 

 erectile at will, below each eye. The object of this armature is 

 obviously defensive, but it must be far from effective. The 

 genus consists of but few species, chiefly inhabiting the waters 

 of India, Japan, and Europe. Only one species has found a 

 home in England, where it seems to be confined to some of the 



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