THE CAEP 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 mUl-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. 



Characteristici of the Gudgeon. — Body elongated, in sliape 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. TaU-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 i^- 



•' 5 or 6 



