BARBEL, Barbus, a genus of fishes of the family of the cyprinidee (q.v.), differing from cyprinus (carp, gold-fish, etc.) iu the.short.dorsal and anal fins, in having one of the rays of the dorsal fin strong and serrated, and the mouth furnished with four soft barbules (whence the name B., from Lat. barbel, a beard), two near the point of the snout, and one at each angle of the mouth. The upper jaw also extends considerably beyond the lower, The species are numerous. Like the other cyprinidT, they are all inhabitants of fresh water, and generally of muddy ponds and rivers, where they seek food by plowing up the mud with their snouts, like swine, and arc said often to seize the small fishes which conic to share with them the worms and insects of the mud. They also feed upon the leaves and roots of aquatic plants.—The common B. (B. vulgaris) is abundant in many of the rivers of the temperate parts of Europe. It is the only species found in Britain, and only in some of the still and deep rivers of England. It is very abundant in the Thames, frequenting the weedy parts of the river in shoals in summer, and seeking the deeper water in winter, becoming so torpid during cold weather, that the fishermen sometimes take it with the hand, or by pushing it with a pole into a small net fastened to an iron hoop. It grows to a large size, sometimes 3 ft. in length, and 15
to 18 lbs. in weight; it is rather of a long shape, in section nearly circular: the nueral color of die head and upper part of the body greenish-brown, becoming yellowish green on the sides, the belly white, the tail somewhat forked, and of a deep purple color. It affords sport to anglers, but is a very coarse fish, and little used for food, except by the poor, who often boil bacon with it to give it a relish. The larger barbels are esteemed tile best. The roe has poisonous qualities, although its effects are disagree able rather than permanently injurious.
Another species, called the hinny. or B. of the Nile, is very abundant in that river; attains a very great size, 70 lbs. or upwards; is much esteemed for food; and is taken by hooks bated with dates steeped in honey. A number of baited hooks, each attached to a separate strong line, are inclosed in a mass of clay, flour, dates, etc., which is sunk in the river. and to which, as it begins to dissolve, the hinnies are attracted; when boring into it with their snouts, and devouring the dates, they are caught. The fish heing gen erally hooked by the projecting upper jaw, is allowed to remain in the water, the line Leiug fastened on shore, and is taken out when wanted for immediate use.