CYPKINID^. 3 



As it appears from an extended survey of the Carp family, 

 that a separation into genera on the grounds here relbrrcd to 

 wouki divide asunder some species which in other characters 

 appear to he closely united, it has been proposed to form the 

 separation according to the length or shortness of the alimentary 

 canal, which organ varies in the proportion as the food is 

 found to be vegetable or animal, in the former case the entrails 

 being convoluted, and of considerable length, while in the latter 

 they are short and straight. But to an arrangement formed on 

 these relative proportions it may be objected, that probably in 

 no instance is the food exclusively vegetable or animal, and 

 consequently the absolute length of the intestine will not be found 

 so definite in the separate species as to afford a sufficient means 

 of distinction; to which we may add, that a doubtful example 

 or new species must be dissected or mutilated before its place 

 in the family can be ascertained; and if preserved in a museum, 

 its supposed generic character will be altogether lost sight of. 



It may happen, however, that a division of the species, which 

 is built on principles that might be objected to when applied 

 to the whole of this extensive family, shall still be appropriate 

 to the comparatively few which we find in British waters; and 

 accordingly, we so far adopt the arrangement of Cuvier, as to 

 place in his genus Cyprinufs, those of the British species which 

 he has comprised within it, and which are marked by the 

 possession of barbs at the mouth; while the others that do not 

 possess these appendages are classed in other divisions. 



