714 
SCANDINAVIAN FISHES. 
scribed them. These specimens may thus be ascribed 
with reason to the said transplantation. However, the 
Loach does not seem to have continued to multiply in 
Lake Malar; Sundevall at all events never succeeded 
in obtaining the slightest evidence of its occurrence 
there. On the other hand, it has been found in recent 
times both in Scania and the south of Halland. In Scania 
it was discovered in 1864 by Lector FIultmark in a 
brook at Trollenas and by Mr. C. Moller at Gisleberga 
and Bosarp; in 1869 it was met with by A. Nathorst 
in the river at Andrarum. In 1888 the Royal Museum 
received through Mr. Trybom, Assistant Inspector of 
Fisheries, two specimens which had been taken by Mr. 
F. Svenonius in the Laga River at Laholin. It may 
possibly be found on closer investigation to occur in a 
few more parts of Sweden; but a fish of this small size 
may easily escape observation. In Norway it is wanting, 
to the best of our knowledge; but in Jutland it was 
found in 1878 by C. E. V arming in the River Nebels. 
— It has been met with throughout the rest of Europe 
as well as the north of Asia. In Germany it is said 
to be taken at several places in great numbers with 
nets constructed for the purpose. Its flesh has always 
been praised as highly delicious and so easy of digestion 
that even a weak stomach has nothing to fear from it. 
Bloch describes at length the method of constructing 
holes or small pools for the cultivation of this fish. 
The Swedish name ( Grouting ), which we have applied 
to this species, is given by Linnaeus in his Fauna 
Suecica. It is now unknown Avith Avhom the name ori- 
ginated — Ave are also ignorant of the source from Avhich 
Nilsson clreAv his name of nissoga (BroAvnie-eye) for the 
preceding species — but it is obviously a corruption 
of the German Griindling (Eng. Groundling), a name 
Avhich has been given to the fish because it keeps close 
to the bottom. There is nothing green in its coloration. 
Another Scandinavian name for the Loach is Smarting, 
from the German Schmerling. 
For the elucidation of the natural relations be- 
tween our two Colitis species Canestrini’s numerous 
measurements afford interesting materials of com- 
parison. Taking into account the measurements given 
by him Ave obtain the folloAving results: 
Average 
i n 
Cobitis barbatula. 
Cobitis 
tcenia. 
4 
specimens. 
3 
specimens. 
9 
specimens. 
9 
specimens. 
Length of the bodv expressed in millimetres 
53.6 
92 
56.2 
85.6 
(1) Lateral length of the head 
.. in 
% of 
the length 
of the body 
18.3 
17.3 
17.i 
15.8 
(2) Length of the head to the occiput 
-- » 
55 55 
55 55 
55 55 
55 
16.6 
15.8 
15.2 
14.9 
(3) Diameter of the eyes 
-- j? 
55 55 
55 '5 
55 55 
„ 
4.i 
3.4 
3.i 
2.3 
(4) Preorbital length of the head 
-- 55 
55 55 
55 55 
15 55 
„ 
7.9 
7.7 
7.3 
6.8 
(5) Breadth of the head 
5 J 55 
55 55 
55 5> 
„ 
9.9 
9.i 
5.4 
5.2 
(6) Depth of the body 
-- 55 
55 55 
55 55 
55 55 
55 
12.o 
12.4 
13.o 
14.3 
(7) Length of the dorsal fin 
-- 5> 
55 55 
55 55 
55 55 
55 
9.5 
8.5 
8.5 
8.4 
(8) Height ,, „ 
55 
55 55 
55 55 
55 55 
55 
14.3 
12.7 
14.3 
13.5 
(9) Length of the pectoral fins 
*- 55 
„ „ 
55 55 
55 55 
„ 
16.2 
14.2 
13.8 
11.9 
(10) .. ,, ventral „ 
- » 
55 55 
55 55 
55 55 
55 
12.3 
12.2 
11.6 
10.3 
(11) anal fin.... 
55 55 
55 55 
55 55 
55 
6.2 
5.4 
6.3 
5.9 
(12) ,, caudal 
-- 55 
55 55 
55 55 
>5 55 
„ 
16.4 
16.2 
— 
— 
(13) „ ,, „ head and trunk 
-- 55 
55 55 
55 5 5 
55 5 » 
55 
57.5 
60.2 
62.4 
64.6 
species belong to a common direction of development; 
and in this direction of development Colitis tcenia 
evidently occupies the more advanced rank. 
(Sundevall, Smitt.) 
The correspondence in the changes of development 
is here so great — the percentages of the two different 
ages in both species rise or fall Avith so great similarity 
— that Ave are fully justified in assuming that these tAvo 
