THE CAEP FAMILY. 175 



short, and placed far back ; the mouth toothless ; throat- 

 teeth numerous, pointed, and situated in a single row only 

 on each side ; the body covered with very small scales, 

 none on the head ; three giU-rays. 



The common Loach, Beardie, or Stone-Loach, by all of 

 which names the fish is known, is found in most parts of 

 the three kingdoms, affecting particularly clear gravelly 

 brooks, where it is by no means uncommon, although, from 

 its habit of lurking under stones, in search probably of 

 larvae and other insects, it frequently escapes notice ; it is 

 not, however, a purely river-fish, as I have often taken very 

 fine specimens in a small stagnant pool near Roehampton. 

 Wlien disturbed by the moving of its stony shelter, it darts 

 away with great rapidity. 



It has been remarked elsewhere, that ' bearded ' fish, like 

 the Loach, are known to feed at or near the bottom of the 

 water, for which purpose their beards or barbels are of 

 valuable assistance, and that such fish have usually a low 

 standard of respiration and a high degree of muscular irri- 

 tability. In animals possessing this constitution we have 

 reason to believe that there exists also great susceptibility 

 to any electrical changes affecting the element in which 

 they reside j and hence the restless movements of Eels 

 and other ground-swimmers so commonly observed during 

 thunder-storms. 



The Chinese, who breed and rear great quantities of 

 Gold-fish, find that thunder injures, and sometimes kills 

 them. Lobsters are known to exhibit terror at the sound 



