PLATE LXXI. 
Gobius Fluviatilis, Will. Ichth. p. 264. t. 2. 8./. 4.— Ge.s»« 
aq. p. 399- 
Gudgeon Raj. Rise. p. 123. — Brit. Zool. p. 308. n. 4. 
The Gudgeon is found in most streams, rivers, and pools of fresh 
water in England, and in similar situations in all the northern coun-> 
tries of Europe. During the heat of the summer, they haunt the 
shallows of lakes, and gentle streams ; but in the autumn, and during 
winter, they lie together in shoals in the deepest parts of the water. 
As spring approaches they again desert the lakes and streams to pass 
up the great rivers that flow into them, where they assemble to de- 
posit their spawn against stones, or in other places of secuiity. 
The female of this species is a full month in spawning, depo- 
siting her eggs, a few at a time, during the whole of that peiiod, oi 
even longer. The eggs are of a clear blueish colour and extremely 
small : those eggs are eagerly sought aftor by the trout, by perch, 
carp, and tench, and other fresh water fishes. This circumstance 
has suggested a hint as to the propriety of introducing Gudgeons 
into gentlemens’ fish-ponds, where any of the before-mentioned 
species are kept, as being the best means of supplying them with 
an excellent and, nutritious food ; and, when we consider the amaz- 
ing fertility of the Gudgeon, no doubt with an abundance of it, 
This fifli subfists on. plants, worms, and the fry of other fished 
It is a species remarkable for the elegance of its form ; and many oi 
its varieties are beautiful. The season of the year, the quality ofth e 
