374 THE ANGLER-NATURALIST. 



Burbolt lives permanently in fresh water, and this fish is 

 rather local than generally distributed, preferring oozy, 

 slow-running rivers, and neither so much sought for nor 

 appreciated as from its edible qualities it deserves. It .is 

 very tenacious of life, and has been known to attain the 

 weight of 8 Ibs., the usual growth, however, varying from 

 1 to 2 Ibs. Its flesh is white and firm, and is considered 

 by many to be superior in flavour to that of the Eel, with 

 which it has many habits in common. Like this fish, it is 

 constantly to be found lurking under drains or near eddies 

 into which food is likely to be swept by the current, or 

 concealing itself in holes with only its nose projected, 

 watching for aquatic insects, fry, or other small animal 

 matters. Its principal time for feeding is during the night, 

 and it is seldom caught unless in eel-pots, or on trim- 

 mers or night-lines. 



The Burbot is probably to be found in a good many 

 rivers and streams of this country : amongst those in 

 which it is known to exist may be mentioned the Cam, 

 the Trent, and the Tame ; the Ouse, the Esk, the Skern, 

 and the Derwent in Yorkshire and Durham, and the Yare, 

 the Bure, and the "Waveny in Norfolk. 



Principal Characteristics of the Burbot. Length from 1 to 2 feet. 

 Head depressed, smooth; jaws equal; chin with one barbel; mouth 

 wide, studded with very numerous small sharp teeth above and 

 below. Length of head compared to that of body only as 1 to 4. Form 

 of body nearly round, flattened towards tail. First back-fin small 

 and rounded; second reaching nearly to tail and occupying about 

 half the length of body ; both fins nearly equal in height. Ventral 



