20 



GOBIO. 



This genus resembles Cyprinm in possessing barbels at the mouth; 

 but it differs in having the dorsal and anal fins short, and in not 

 possessing those spines in front of these fins by which the last-named 

 genus is distinguished. The body also is more lengthened. 



GUDGEON. 



Goblv fluciatilis, Jonston; Table 26, f. 16 and 17. 



" Willoughby; PI. 28, f. 4, p. 2(34. 



Cjl/jrinaa Gobiu, LinNjEus. Bloch; PI. 8, f. 2. 



" " Donovan; PI. 71. Jenyns; Manual, 



p. 405. 



Gobio fluviotilis, Fleming; Br. Animals, p. 186. 



" " Yakrell; Br. Fishes, vol. i, p. 371. 



Gudgeons delight in such of our rivers as flow with moderate 

 velocity over a bottom of gravel, with deeper pits at convenient 

 distances; in the latter of which they obtain shelter in the 

 colder seasons of the year, but as warm weather advances they 

 pass into the more rapid districts of the stream, and there 

 display considerable activity, but more by night than by day; 

 and especially in the search after food, in hunting for which 

 their open nostrils afford them quick perception; and when 

 an angler produces his baits they flock together in troops 

 with proverbial eagerness to be caught. Their small size is 

 indeed an hindrance to their being regarded as a valuable 

 .capture, although they are esteemed as a delicacy for the table, 

 and their readiness to take the hook is an objection with those 

 whose pleasure is to meet with fishes which task their skill in 

 the art of angling. But to the less ambitious fishing for Gudgeons 

 produces a good degree of excitement; and when the fish have 

 ceased to bite freely, from perhaps the success that has lessened 



