204 PHYSOSTOMI. 



olive-green blotched all over with dark markings : abdomen white. Fins blotched 

 and banded with darker. Occasionally it is more yellow, with ill-defined spots 

 and blotches. Generally a black mark at the base of the caudal fin above and 

 below, but most distinct above. 



Varieties. — Siebold observed one from Munich of a reddish colour, and having 

 a red pupil : Baldner, of a pale-coloured loach. 



Names. — Groundling, from its remaining at the bottom of streams or waters : 

 stone-loach, due to its fondness for secreting itself beneath a stone : ground-bait, 

 or ground gudgeon, Northumberland : lie-still, South Hampshire : also locally as 

 beardie, tommy loach, or tommy lurker. La Loch Franche, French. 



Habits. — Clear rivulets with gravelly bottoms, which it prefers to broad rivers, 

 and keeps near the ground, rapidly darting away if disturbed ; it is also found in 

 pools. Appears to be very susceptible to atmospheric changes ; thus, when kept 

 in an aquarium, Couch found that it would throw itself over the walls of its 

 prison, especially at the approach of, or during any remarkable changes of wind 

 or weather. It similarly commits suicide by springing out of ponds or 

 streams. Newman (Zool. 1855) says that in an aquarium it remains motionless 

 at the bottom for the greater part of the day ; but towards evening, and in 

 showery weather, it presently comes to the surface, with a wriggling movement 

 of its eel-like body — then drops languidly to the bottom. The loach has been 

 kept alive in aquaria as a living barometer from the supposition that certain 

 movements and alterations of position or situation indicate particular changes 

 which are about to occur in the weather. It is very voracious, and will feed on 

 larvae and adult insects, as well as consume an incredible number of small worms, 

 i.e., from 1^ to 2 inches long. As soon as one is seized it stirs up the mud, and 

 so becomes invisible. In a state of nature it lurks in long floating grass quite as 

 commonly as under stones, and when rivers are flooded and very muddy, it often 

 seeks refuge at the sides, under banks, and among small tufts of grass. 



Means of capture. — A fine hook and line : baling out streams, or netting. 

 Boys spear it with an ordinary fork tied on the end of a stick. 



Baits. — A small worm. 



Breeding. — Spawns in March and April : depositing numerous small ova. It 

 has always been considered one of the most prolific of our freshwater fishes. 



Uses. — Very good spinning bait for trout, perch, and small pike. Large 

 pike high up streams will sometimes take them after refusing roach and dace. 

 It is said to be rendered more killing if steeped in sweet oil, which changes its 

 colour into a golden tint. A good bait on night lines for eels, while chub will 

 also take it. Owls have been observed to feed their young with this fish. 



As food. — Excellent flavour and very delicate. Rutty remarks that " it is 

 customary with many to take it alive in a glass of generous wine " (i, p. 366) ; 

 but Pennant observes that sportsmen do so through frolic. Izaak Walton con- 

 sidered it a dainty dish at table, and Gesner terms it the "invalid fish," the best 

 being fed and bred in little clear and swift brooks or rills over gravel. Frederick 

 the First of Sweden went to the expense of having this fish imported into his 

 country from Germany for his own particular eating. It is occasionally preserved 

 as anchovies, and considered superior both in flavour and richness. 



Habitat. — Absent from Scandinavia and Denmark, but distributed over most 

 of Europe. In many of the streams of the north of Scotland, and in all the rivers 

 entering the Firth of Forth (Parnell), the Tweed, and the burns of Berwickshire 

 (Johnston) ; in the waters of Leith (Neill). 



In Yorkshire abundant in shallow waters. Found in the North-Western Fells 

 up to 900 feet ; also in Malham Tarn, 1250 feet (Yorkshire Vert.). In Norfolk 

 found in the smaller streams, wherever stones afford a lurking place" (Lubbock); 

 and it has been specially mentioned in many other localities to so far as Cornwall : 

 also in Wales. 



In Ireland taken in counties of Londonderry, Monaghan and Cavan ; 

 Florence Court : counties of Dublin, Kildare, Cork and Wicklow. I found it 

 abundant at Edgeworthstown, county of Longford. It rarely exceeds 5 inches 

 in length. 



