176 THE ANGLER-NATURALIST. 



of thunder, and are even said to be apt to cast their claws 

 upon an unusually loud clap, an effect which may be at- 

 tributed to spasmodic action of the muscles under elec- 

 trical influence. If fishes of opposite habits,such as sur- 

 face-swimmers * and ground-swimmers, are put together 

 into the same vessel of water and a slight galvanic dis- 

 charge is passed through the fluid, the ground-swimmers, 

 with the lowest degree of respiration, will be the most 

 agitated, 



The Loach seldom exceeds 4 or 5 inches in length, 

 and feeds upon worms and water-insects. Its flesh is con- 

 sidered excellent ; and in some parts of Europe it is held 

 in such high estimation for delicacy and flavour as to be 

 frequently transferred, at the cost of considerable trouble 

 and expense, from the rivers it naturally inhabits to others 

 in the neighbourhood of noblemen's estates. It is said 

 that Frederick the First of Sweden went to the length 

 of having it imported into that country from Germany for 

 his own particular eating f. 



This little fish appears to be entirely incapable of swim- 

 ming about like the majority of its class. When in con- 

 finement it remains during the greater part of the day 

 motionless at the bottom of the vivarium, but towards 

 evening, and also in showery weather, often comes to the 

 top by a violent wriggling movement of its eel-like body : 

 having reached the surface, it is totally unable to remain 

 there, either by continuing its efforts, or by that easy float- 

 * See p. 10. t Linnaeus, Fauna Suecica. 



