class pisces. 377 



It is rare in our environs, but very common in the 

 north. 



C. gibelio, Gm. Bl. 12. Body somewhat less ele- 

 vated, lateral line arched towards the bottom, and the 

 caudal crescent-shaped. 



It is more common around Paris. The spines of 

 these two species are weak, and it is difficult to per- 

 ceive any denticulation. 



Such, again, is a species imported among us, and 

 very much multiplied in consequence of the brilliance 

 and variety of its colours : it constitutes a chief orna- 

 ment of our reservoirs. 



Cyp. auratus (Golden carp. Gold fish.) L. Bloch. 93. 

 The dorsal and anal spines are denticulated, as in the 

 common carp ; blackish at first, it assumes by degrees 

 the fine golden red by which it is characterized ; but 

 some are found of a silvery hue, and others variegated 

 with these three shades of colour. There are also some 

 individuals without a dorsal, others with a very small 

 one, others whose caudal is very large, and divided 

 into three or four lobes, and others whose eyes are 

 enormously enlarged ; all these accidents, the result 

 of domestic education, may be combined in various 

 modes and degrees '. 



1 Such are the Cypr. macrophthalmus, Bloch 410., or the gros yeux, 

 Lacep. V. xviii. 2., the C. quatre lobes, Lacep. ib. 3., and the va- 

 rieties of the auratus, Bl. 93, 94, &c. See the " Collection de 

 Dorades de la Chine," by Sauvigny and Martinet. Add Cypr. de- 

 varid, Buchanan, pi. vi. f. 94. C. catla, Id. pi. xiii. f. 81. 



