THE COBITID^, OB LOACHES. 



361 



not belong to them ; and although we are not pre- 

 pared, at present, to adduce equally conclusive evidence 

 that the loaches are excluded from the Salmonidte, our 

 investigations, as we have shown, have been carried 

 sufficiently far to render such a supposition highly im- 

 probable. The viviparous nature of the Cobitidoe ne- 

 cessarily carries with it certain peculiarities in the 

 generative organs, not necessary, indeed, to be here 

 detailed; yet of great importance in determining the 

 rank of this family in the circle of malacopterygious 

 fishes. 



(292.) The loaches, in comparison to the silures, 

 are a very small group, whether we regard the number 

 of species and forms already known, or the size of the 

 fish themselves. They appear to be more numerous in 

 the Indian rivers than in those of Europe, while those 

 genera, which are found in the New World, are altogether 

 peculiar. The common loach of Europe (Cobites bar- 

 batula Linn., fig. 95.), not unfrequent in England, is a 



perfect example of the typical structure, and Dr. Hamil- 

 ton has given us a few particulars of other genera, 

 which are almost exclusively found in India. The com- 

 mon loach is generally met with in small running brooks, 

 where, lurking under stones, it searches for worms and 

 insects ; and it swims rapidly when disturbed. It spawns 

 early in the spring, and is very prolific : although it 

 seldom exceeds four inches in length, its flesh is es- 

 teemed a great delicacy ; so much so, indeed, as to have 

 induced many wealthy persons on the Continent to trans- 

 port them to their own waters. It is said that they owe 

 their introduction into Sweden to Frederick I., who, at 



