Page:British Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fresh-water Fishes.djvu/100

BRITISH FRESH-WATER FISHES familiar Goldfish (Carassiiis auratus) has the same sombre dress as its two relatives last dealt with, but when kept under artificial conditions it assumes both gold and silver forms which make a strong appeal to those who have ornamental waters, or who are desirous of keeping such brilliant fishes in an aquarium at home. Many piebald varieties may be encountered, indeed there seems no end to the "sports" that are to be met with.

Barbel.—Barhus vulgaris. From Barbellus, the diminutive of Barbus in reference to the barbels on the mouth. Hence also its English name (Fig. 43). This is a very locally distributed species, and may be known by having two barbels on either side of the mouth. It occurs in the Thames and Trent, and further north in certain rivers of Yorkshire. With these exceptions, its appearance is rare elsewhere. It is greenish-olive in colour, with golden sides, the somewhat elongate body being covered with moderate-sized scales. There are on frequent occasions some small dark spots on the body, and also on the fins. It seems to attain a maximum weight in Britain of about 20 pounds, but on the Continent turns the scale at considerably more than this. It feeds upon various water-creatures, both animal and vegetable, searching for its provender by grubbing about with its snout, and is probably aided by its barbels being used as feelers. In Winter it lies up in a torpid state, several individuals keeping one another company. The eggs are laid in early Summer, either in shallow or deep water where there is a gravelly bed. It is stated that 82