82 ART OF ANGLING. 



The Minnow spawns in June, and is often ob- 

 served to be found in spawn during the greatest 

 part of the summer ; from its small size it is 

 not much regarded in the list of eatable fish, 

 though it is said to be extremely delicate, and, 

 where found in great plenty, is occasionally used 

 for the table. It is much more frequently the 

 victim of anglers, who procure it for the pur- 

 pose of a bait for various fishes, particularly 

 the Trout. It is to be angled for with a 

 single hair line, having two or three of the 

 very smallest hooks attached, which are to be 

 baited with small red worms, or maggots. 



LOACH. 



THE Loach is an inhabitant of clear rivulets, 

 and commonly resides at the bottom among 

 stones and gravel, and is on that account some- 

 times called by the name of Groundling ; it is 

 generally about three inches long ; is of a dirty 

 yellow colour on the back, and somewhat spot- 

 ted, and white on the belly. In point of deli- 

 cacy it is said to be equal, if not superior, to 

 most other fishes, and is cultivated with much 

 care in some places as an article of diet. The 

 Loach is observed to spawn in March, and is 

 very prolific. It is frequently taken when ang- 

 gling for Minnows. 



