XXXIV REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



have been obliged to gather long lists of synonyms, each applying to 

 one or more of the varieties. Giinther's list of synonyms embraces 

 thirtj'-one binomial names, aud several common names. Beginning with 

 the Koizpivoq of Aristotle, his volume includes new ones to nearly the 

 date of its publication.* He finds the names applied to the normal 

 type, to " varieties of the integuments," to " varieties of form," to 

 " monstrosities," to the " eastern [Asiatic] specimens," and to a " variety 

 with the fins much prolonged." His material for study included Euro- 

 pean specimens from different parts of England, Holland, Hungary, 

 Switzerland, and Eussia, and Asiatic specimens from China, Formosa, 

 Japan, and Java, all which varieties he refers to the one species, Gypri- 

 nus carpio L. 



Another species, the Crucian carp (Carassms vulgaris (Miss.) Nord.) 

 is found in temperate Asia aud Europe. This, too, has been domesti- 

 cated and has developed varieties principally in the particular of form. 

 An extensive list of names pertains to this species, also. The testimony 

 of writers agrees rather uniformly that the Crucian carp is inferior in 

 flavor to the common carp ; still, it is cultivated in portions of Europe. 

 Its present distribution appears to extend farther north than the com- 

 mon carp, as it is taken in Norway and Siberia. A variety is also found 

 as far south as Sicily. 



To add to the confusion into which the existence of so many variable 

 forms has placed the question of species, it is known that two or more 

 hybrids exist between the Gyprinus carpio and other species. The best 

 known one is that which was identified by Heckel as Gyprinus Kollarii, 

 now believed to be a cross between Gyprinus carpio and Gyprinus caras- 

 sius L. ; it is said to be found wherever the two species are kept under 

 domestication. This hybrid is considered to be inferior to the common 

 carp. Another one is the cross between G. carpio L. and Garassius 

 auratus (L.) Bleeker, which is thought superior to the latter, though 

 much cannot be said in its favor. In a letter received from Dr. O. 

 Finseh, still another hybrid is referred to between C. carpio L. and 

 Gyprinus brama L. 



Among all these variations of form and external characters, differing 

 as they do in proportions of body, in the size of the scales, in the partial 

 or complete absence of scales, in the form of the fins, and in the combi- 

 nations of the characters of two species in a hybrid, there is also a varia- 

 tion in their edible qualities, in their prolificness, some forms being en- 

 tirely sterile, and popularly believed to be neuter in gender, aud also 

 in their hardiness and adaptability to more or less unfavorable waters. 



In referring to the sterile carps, Siebold remarks that many are found 

 in which ovaries or spermaries are never fully developed. In some they 

 are so little developed that the generative organs are found only with the 



* Catalogue of the Fishes in the British Museum, by Albert Giinther, M. A., M. D., 

 Ph. D., F. R. S., F. Z. S., etc., etc. Volume seventh, Loudon : Printed by order of the 



trustees, 1803. 



