400 FISHES. 



like the rest, green and silver. The projecting snout, 

 giving the impression of a miniature shark, is sufficient to 

 distinguish it from the rest, and the deep cleft of the 

 mouth is also characteristic. The edge of the belly is 

 smooth. The anchovy is not known to spawn on our 

 coasts, but in the Mediterranean it deposits its floating 

 eggs in the summer months. 



CHAPTER XIX. THE CARP FAMILY. 



Of greatest importance to the angler, to whom they 

 are collectively known as "Coarse fish," the fishes comi3os- 

 ing the present group are but little eaten in these islands, 

 though in general use on the Continent. They are all in- 

 habitants of fresh water, several thriving best in lakes 

 without outlet. In most, we find the scales of large size, 

 the mouth without teeth ; in some, the jaws are furnished 

 with barbels, differing slightly in appearance, probably in 

 function as well, from those of the cods. These fish spawn 

 in the summer months, the close-time in this country last- 

 ing, with local variations, from March 15 th to June i5tli. 

 Several of the commoner species are known to interbreed. 



That typical pond-fish, the Carp, was introduced from the 

 Continent, it would appear, a couple of centuries ago, and 

 is now widely distributed in our rivers and 

 lakes, though it appears to be exceedingly 

 rare (if indeed present) in Scotland, and of local occur- 

 rence only in Ireland. In colour, the carp is generally 

 between green and bronze, the scales having a black 

 margin, and the fins having yellow and violet reflec- 

 tions ; but the colours are subject to some variation. Tlie 

 growth of this fish is, according to Seeley,^ rai)id, as a carp 



J Fresli-water Fishes of Europe, p. 97. 



