ORDER II. 



MALACOPTERYGII ABDOMINALES. 



Family I. 

 CYPRINHXE. 



Cyprinus. Lin. 



Generic characters. Body covered with large scales ; a sin- 

 gle elongated dorsal fin ; lips fleshy ; mouth small ; teeth in 

 the pharynx, but none on the jaws ; branchiostegous rays 3. 



C. auratus. Lin. The golden Carp. 



Pennant's British Zoology, vol. iii. p. 327. 

 Yarrell's British Fishes, vol. i. 315 et fig. 



This species is so well known that, did not this report con- 

 template a description of every fish known to inhabit our 

 waters, I should pass it by, after having merely included it in 

 my catalogue. It is found in quite a number of ponds in the 

 vicinity of Boston, connected with the country seats, bearing 

 perfectly well the rigors of our winters, and breeding in great 

 numbers. I have seen them at Brookline, Cambridge and 

 Brighton ; from the latter place, the specimens before me 

 were received, through the politeness of my friend Samuel 

 Downer, Jr. 



The following appearances are presented : Form oblong ; 

 body slightly arched from the occiput to the commencement of 

 the dorsal fin, and then gradually curved to the termination of 

 that fin. Color, a bright orange on the upper part of the body ; 

 lighter upon the sides ; white beneath. Scales large, exhibit- 



