178 THE ANGLER-NATURALIST. 



THE SPINED LOACH. 



(Cobitis tcsnia*.) 



The Spined or Ribbon- shaped Loach is a much rarer 

 fish than the last-named species, and, from its smaller size 

 and similar constant propensity for lurking under stones, 

 its habits are either but little known, or they have not 

 been distinguished from those of the common Loach. The 

 Spined Loach, sometimes also named Groundling, has been 

 found in the Trent, near Nottingham f, in the Wiltshire 

 streams J, in Warwickshire, and in the Lodes, or Leads, 

 as they are termed, which run into the Cam. It is very 

 possible, however, that it also exists in many other waters 

 where it has hitherto escaped notice. It has not been 

 found in Ireland. 



This fish seldom exceeds 3 inches in length, and is 

 usually much smaller, the engraving representing a spe- 

 cimen of the natural size. When touched it emits a 

 peculiar guttural sound, resembling that already referred 

 to in the Barbel and one or two others of the Carp 

 species. 



The Spined Loach may at once be distinguished from 



* Cobitis, a Loach, Gr. ; tania, a ribbon, Lat. 

 t Berkenhout's Synopsis of the Natural History of Great Britain, 

 &c. Turton's British Fauna. 



