326 



CYPRINID.E. 



Gudgeon rarely exceeding eight inches in length, and being 

 seldom so large. When angling for them, it is usual to 

 scratch the gravel at the bottom of the water with an iron 

 rake, the Gudgeons resorting to the newly moved ground 

 for the sake of the small living animals that are exposed by 

 this disturbing operation. They bite freely, even to a 

 proverb, at a small portion of a red worm ; and many dozens 

 may be caught, in some situations, in a few hours. 



The Gudgeon spawns in May, generally among stones 

 in shallow water, in which situation the deposit is exposed 

 to the vivifying influence of the sun's rays ; the fry are 

 about an inch long by the beginning of August. The 

 Thames fishermen take them in shallow water with a casting 

 net, keeping them in their well-boats till wanted. The 

 London fishmongers are also able to keep Gudgeons 

 alive several weeks in leaden or stone tanks, which are con- 

 stantly supplied with fresh cold water ; and Colonel Mon- 

 tagu says that a very considerable quantity of these fishes 

 are taken with the casting net in the Avon near Bath, long 

 famous for its Gudgeons, which are exposed for sale alive 

 in shallow tubs of water, and are thus obtained in the highest 

 perfection for invalids, being considered easy of digestion. 



The length of the head is, to the whole length of the 

 head, body, and tail, as one to five ; the depth of the body, 

 which is greatest at the commencement of the dorsal fin, 

 not equal to the length of the head ; the lower jaw broad, 

 shorter than the upper ; the mouth wide, with a barbule 

 at the angle on each side ; the nostrils in a circular depres- 

 sion ; the eye placed high up on the side of the head, and 

 about half-way between the point of the nose and the free 

 edge of the operculum ; the dorsal fin commencing on a 

 vertical line rather before the ventrals, the rays slender, 

 the connecting membrane thin and transparent, the base of 



