172 THE ANGLER-NATUKALIST. 



Like the last-noticed species, the Minnow is exclusively 

 a river-fish, and swims in large shoals, inhabiting usually 

 such streams as also contain Trout, and preferring gravelly 

 or sandy bottoms. Its food consists of water- weeds, worms, 

 and small portions of animal matter ; and, from its active 

 and amusing habits, it is a favourite denizen of the viva- 

 rium, where, however, it has never been known to live 

 beyond three years. The Minnow forms an excellent bait 

 for Pike, Perch, Trout, and Chub. It spawns in June, 

 at which time the head will be found to be covered with 

 small tubercles; and the eggs, which are very numerous, 

 are hatched within five or six days, the young fry reach- 

 ing the length of three-quarters of an inch by the first 

 week in August. The spawning-process occupies only a 

 few days. 



A curious circumstance connected with the habits of 

 this species is related in London's Magazine of Natural 

 History. ' ' On crossing a brook," says the writer, " I 

 saw from the foot-bridge something at the bottom of the 

 water which had the appearance of a flower. Observing it 

 attentively, I found that it consisted of a circular assem- 

 blage of Minnows. Their heads all met in a centre ; and 

 their tails diverging at equal distances and being elevated 

 above their heads, gave them the appearance of a flower 

 half-blown. One was larger than the rest ; and as often 

 as a straggler came in sight, he quitted his place to pursue 

 him, and, having driven him away, returned to it again 

 no other Minnow offering to take it in his absence. 



