202 PHYSOSTOMI. 



overhung by the Snout, both its cleft and gape small, the posterior extremity 

 of the maxilla reaching to beneath the hind nostril. A strong bifurcated 

 suborbital spine situated beneath the hind nostril, and extends to beneath the first 

 third of the orbit. Barbels — short, six in number, all inserted on snout and upper 

 jaw. Teeth — pharyngeal, in a single row, 8-10/10-8. Fins — the dorsal commences 

 above the origin of the ventral and about midway between the end of the snout and 

 the base of the caudal fin. Pectoral almost as long as the head in the males : the 

 upper pectoral ray is osseous, enlarged and flattened.* Caudal cut squai-e or slightly 

 emarginate. Scales — very minute. Lateral-line — present, passing along nearly the 

 middle of the side. Colours — of a light brown, becoming white along the abdomen : 

 two rows of dark spots along the back and upper half of the sides, and a third of 

 larger marks below the lateral-line : these marks are sometimes converted into 

 transverse bands : a black streak from the eye to the snout : a black blotch on 

 the upper portion of the base of the caudal fin. Pectoral, dorsal and caudal 

 fins banded with dark marks. 



Names. — Spinecl loach, denoting its preorbital sjiine ; rihlon-shaped loach, 

 having reference to its shape. Be Kleine modderJcruider, Dutch. La Loche de 

 Biviere, French. 



Haiits. — But little is known of the habits of this species of loach in this 

 country, where not only is it local but rare. It appears to be more of a mud- 

 loving form than our groundling, while it is tenacious of life. When touched it 

 is said to emit a peculiar guttural sound. 



Breeding. — March and April in France, and very prolific. 



As food. — Said to be inferior to the common loach, but still it is much 

 esteemed. 



Habitat. — Distributed through most of the continent of Europe. In Finland 

 it is rare and local, but generally found through Denmark and the northern 

 half of Sweden. 



It is a much rarer form in Britain than the common groundling, Nemacheilus 

 barhatula. Parnell observes that he thought he saw one in the River Teith in 

 Scotland, but he failed to obtain it. It has been recorded from the Trent near 

 Nottingham : from fish ponds at Ely and in other pieces of water in Cambridge- 

 shire (Jenyns) : clear streams in Wiltshire, and Thompson obtained it from near 

 Guy's Cliff in Warwickshire in July, 1836 : Couch also observes that he believes 

 it is found in Gloucestershire. Newman (Zool. 1855, xiii, p. 4836) remarked 

 that he took this species at Dorking in a little muddy stream that runs into the 

 Mole, just below the bridge at Brockham Lodge. But although he describes it 

 he omits any reference to the spine below the eye (? next species) . It has not 

 been recorded from Ireland. 



Rarely exceeds three inches in length. 



* Cederstrom, JEiv. Ak Forh. xxxi, 1 874, p. 47, pi. xi, f. 5-8, observes on the habits of this fish, 

 and how the sexes are differentiated by external characters. 



