THE CARP FAMILY. 127 



degree of movement. They swim in large shoals, appear- 

 ing to delight in such streams as have a moderate current 

 with sandy or gravelly bars across. 



Most English rivers and canals produce these fish, occa- 

 sionally in such numbers, that I have known as many as 

 twelve dozen to be taken at a single throw of the casting- 

 net ; and Thompson mentions they were so numerous in 

 the Newforge mill-stream, on the Lagan, Ireland, that the 

 miller's dog at that place was in the habit of catching them 

 with his mouth, and devouring them in quantities. 



Gudgeon rarely exceed 8 inches in length, and are sel- 

 dom so long : they spawn in May, amongst stones in shallow 

 waters. 



Characteristics of the Gudgeon. Body elongated, in shape very nearly 

 resembling that of the Barbel. Length of head to total length of 

 body as 1 to 5 ; depth of body less than length of head. Upper jaw 

 the longest. Mouth toothless ; throat-teeth in two rows on each side, 

 numbering 3 and 5 respectively, but sometimes fewer on one side; 

 teeth tapering, and curved at tips. Scales of moderate size. One 

 barbel at each side of mouth. Tail-fin deeply forked at the end. 

 Double air-bladder. Colour: upper part of head, back, and sides 

 olive-brown, spotted with black ; belly and lower portion of body 

 white; pectoral, ventral, and anal fins nearly white, tinged with 

 brown. Back- and tail-fin mottled brown. 



Fin-rays : D. 9 : P. 15 : V. 8 : A. 7 : C. 19 



