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Fishes. 
THE LOACH, (Cobitis barbatula,) 
Which also belongs to the family of the carps, is a small 
fish, with six barbs at the mouth. It inhabits small, 
gravelly streams, and lies at the bottom among the stones ; 
it is easily caught with a small worm. 
It is considered an extremely well-flavoured fish, 
though, on account of its small size, and the difficulty 
of catching a sufficient quantity, seldom seen at table. 
The Loach is very sensitive to atmospheric changes, 
which it shows by its restless movements. They have 
sometimes been kept alive in glass vessels, in which 
state they indicate the approach of storms with almost 
the accuracy of a barometer. 
THE BULL-HEAD, OE MILLER'S THUMB, 
{Cottus gobio,) 
Is found in clear brooks and livers in most parts ot 
Europe. It is from four to five inches long ; the head is 
large in proportion to the body, broad and depressed : the 
gill fins round, and beautifully notched. The mouth is 
large and full of small teeth ; the general colour of the 
body is a dark brownish black. This fish is remarkably 
stupid, and may be caught with ease by the most in ex- 
