358 B A R B E L. Class IV. 



of food, but towards autumn, and during winter, 

 confine themfelves to the deepeft holes. 



They are the worft and coarfeft of frefli water 

 fiih, and feldom eat but by the poorer fort of peo- 

 ple, who fometime boil them with a bit of bacon 

 to give them a reiifh. The roe is very noxious, 

 affeding thofe who unwarily eat of it with a nau- 

 fea, vomiting, purging, and a flight fwelling. 

 Descrip. It is fometimcs found of the length of three 

 hct^ and eighteen pounds in weight : it is of a 

 lono; and rounded form : the fcales not laro;e. 



Its head is fmooth : the noftrils placed near the 

 eyes : the mouth is placed below : on each corner 

 is a fingle beard, and another on each fide the 

 nofe. 



The dorfal fin is armed with a remarkable 

 ftrong fpine, fiiarply ferrated, with" which it can 

 inflidt a very {twert wound on the incautious han- 

 dler, and even do much damage to the nets. 



The pectoral fins are of a pale brown color; 

 the ventral and anal tipped with yellow : the tail a 

 little bifurcated, and of a deep purple : the fide 

 line is ftrait. ^ 



The fcales are of a pale gold color, edged with 

 black : the belly is white. 



Tinea, 



