COBITIS, the LOACHE, in ichthyology, a genus of fishes belonging to the order of abdominales. The eyes are in the upper part of the head; the branchiostegic membrane has from four to five rays; and the body is nearly of an equal thickness throughout. The species are five; three of which are natives of Europe. The loache is found in several of our small rivers, keeping at the bottom on the gravel; and is, on that account, in some places called the groundling: It is frequent in the stream near Amesbury in Wiltshire, where the sportfisher, through frolic, swallow it down alive in a glass of white-wine.