CARPS. S07 



in tlie middle of the back ; and the ventrals are 

 placed just beneath it; the caudal is large and 

 rounded, or truncate. The air-bladder is two- 

 lobed, and is curiously inclosed in a case of bone, 

 attached to the spine. There are twenty-two 

 species known as Loaches, which are found in the 

 fresh waters of the Old World, and chiefly in the 

 rivers of India. Two, however, are British ; and 

 are among the most minute of our fishes, the one 

 attaining the length of three inches, the other 

 that of four. Though so minute, the flesh of the 

 Loach is accounted excellent ; and in some parts 

 of Europe, so great is the estimation in which it 

 is held for its exquisite delicacy and flavour, 

 that it is often transported with considerable 

 trouble and expense from its native streams, to 

 such as flow through the estates of the opulent. 

 Frederic L, of Sweden, imported our common 

 species {Cobitis harhatula, Linn.), from Germany 

 into his own dominions, where they were readily 

 naturalized. 



3. Cypr'mina. In this Sub-family, which com- 

 prises an immense majority of the species, the 

 small mouth, the jaws absolutely destitute of 

 teeth, and the three flat gill-rays, are obvious 

 distinctions, to which are added the palatal 

 cushion, and the grinding apparatus in the 

 pharynx. The tongue is smooth ; the scales are 

 usually large ; the air-bladder is divided into 

 two compartments by a narrow neck. There is 

 but one dorsal, generally near the middle of the 

 back. No fewer than six hundred and fifty species 

 are enumerated in this group, which are prin- 

 cipally inhabitants of the fresh waters of the Old 

 World ; a few are found in America ; but only, 



