J4C 



VEETEBRATES 



The Loach. 



The Bleak and the Minnow both belong to the genna 

 Leuciscus. The former fish is remarkable for the use made of its 

 scales, which when washed in water deposit a powder much used 

 in the manufacture of artificial pearls. 



In some counties the Loach goes by the name of " Beardie," 

 in allusion to the little fleshy particles that hang from its lips. It 



has also the name of G-ronndling, 

 on account of its habit of living 

 close to the bottom of the water. 

 It is a common fish, and 

 may be taken in most streams, 

 especially if the bait is drawn 

 over the bed of the stream. The principal peculiarity about the 

 fish, is the comparatively great breadth of the tail where.it joins 

 the spine. This formation, together with the generally pellucid 

 appearance of its body, at once distinguish it from any other fish. 

 The Pike affords much sport to anglers, who generally 

 employ a method of fishing called " trolling." A gudgeon, roach, 

 or large minnow is so fixed to a number of formidable hooks, that 

 when drawn through the water, it spins rapidly round, and attracts 

 the notice of the watchful Pike, who dashes at the glittering bait 

 with a violence that jars the rod down to the very butt. Off 

 Bwims the pike to his place of concealment, leisurely turns the 

 head of the bait downwards, and swallows it. Now, to swallow 

 Lhe fish is easy enough, but the array of barbed hooks proves an 



effectual obstacle to the 

 endeavors of the Pike to 

 get rid of the unwelcome 

 morsel as soon as the angler 

 jerks the line, and gives 

 the Pike to understand that hooks have points. The deluded Pike 

 now endeavors to break the line, but a good fisherman foils all his 

 efforts, arid at last lands him, wearied and bleeding, but ferocious 

 (o the last. 



The method of fishing for Pike called " trimming" is hardly 

 worth mention. A line baited with living fish is fastened to a 



Ihe Pike. 



