CYPRINID.2E. 39 



FAMILY CYPRINIDJE. (Giinth. Cat. vol. vii.) 



I take this Family first, as they are the most gene- 

 rally known, and everywhere procurable. 



Geographical distribution. Fresh waters of the 

 Old World and North America. 



Description. This family is best recognised by the 

 absence of any marked peculiarities. The gold carp is 

 an example familiar to most people. The body is 

 covered with scales, which do not extend on to the 

 head. There is only one dorsal fin, of which the first 

 two or three rays (counting from the head) are united, 

 and form an unbranched ray, which is frequently bony 

 and strong, and is sometimes toothed or serrated on the 

 hinder edge. The remaining rays are soft and divided 

 towards the free end, the last ray generally appears 

 double, care must therefore be taken in counting the 

 fin rays not to count this one twice over, as it is in 

 fact only one ray. Tliey have no, teeth in any jiart of 

 their mouths. The only teeth they possess are situated 

 on a pair of bones in the throat, just beneath the gill- 

 cover, these are termed Pharyngeal teeth, and may be 

 in one, or in two, or in three series. 



Char. Xo visible teeth. Xo adipose fin. Body 

 covered with scales, head naked. Mouth frequently 

 with barbels. 



