Jordan and Everinann. — Fishes of North America. 201 



teeth. Sometimes a beveled or flattened edge looks so much like a grind- 

 ing surface as to mislead a superficial observer. In some cases the edge 

 of the tooth is crenate or serrate. 



Besides the native species here mentioned, representatives of several 

 other genera have been introduced from Europe, and two of these have 

 become common inhabitants of many streams, east and west. These are 

 Cjiprinits*, LiiuKPus, and Carassius, Niisson. The first is distinguished by 

 the very long dorsal, which, like the anal, is preceded by a strong spine 

 serrated behind. About the mouth are 4 long barbels, and the teeth are 

 molar, 1, 3-3, 1. This genus is represented by the carp (Cyprinus carpio, 

 L.). The carp is normally covered with large scales. In domestication, 

 however, variations have arisen, prominent ones being the "Leather 

 Carp," naked, and the "Mirror Carp," with a few series of very large 

 scales. 



Carassius, Niisson, differs from Cyprinus chiefly in the absence of barbels 

 a^d in having the teeth compressed, 4-4. The goldfish {Carassius aurafus, 

 Linnteus), is originally olivaceous, but only the orange-red variety is 

 valued for aquaria. Both Carassius and Cyprinus are native in China. 



'*Cijpri)u»!e. Dorsal fin elongate; dorsal and anal fins each preceded by a serrated spine; teeth 

 molar. Species introduced from Europe aud Asia. 

 «. Barbels 4; teeth 1, 1, 3-3, 1, 1. Cyprinus. 



aa. Barbels none ; teeth 4-4. Carassius. 



Cyprinus (Artedi) Linnaeus. The Carps. 



Oi/primis, (Artedi), Linn.WS, Syst. Nat., Ed. x, 1758, 320, {carpio). 



Body robust, compressed, rosembling: that of the buffalo-fish. Mouth moderate, anterior, 

 with 4 long barbels. Snout blunt, rounded. Teeth molar, broad and truncate, 1, 1, 3-3, 1, 1. 

 Scales large. Lateral line continuous. Dorsal fin very Iouk, with a stout spine, serrated 

 behind; anal fiu short, also witli a spine. Large fislies of the fresh waters of Asia; intro- 

 duced into Europe and America as food-fishes. It has been generally introduced into private 

 ponds in nearly all parts of the United States; from there it has escaped into the streams 

 and lakes, and is now an abundant fish in most of our larger, warmer rivers and in the 

 ponds and bayous of the Mississippi Valley. On the south shore of Lake Erie it lias become 

 well established aud is of considerable commercial importance. (Kun-prt'os, the ancient 

 name of the carp.) 



Cyprinus Cakpio, Linnwus. Carp. 



Dorsal III, 20; A. Ill, 6; scales 5-38-5; teeth 1, 1, 3-3, 1, 1. Body stout, more or less com- 

 pressed, heavy anteriorly. L. 18 inches or more. Fresh waters of Central Asia; introduced 

 as a food-fish into Europe and America. In domestication it has run into many varieties, 

 distinguished by differences in form, squamatiou, and development of fins. {Carpio, carp.) 



Cyprinm carpio, LiNNiEUS, Syst. Nat., Ed. x, 1758, 320 ; Gunther, Cat., Vll, 25. 



Carassius, Niisson. The Crucian Carps. 



Carassius, NiLSSON, Prodromus, Ichthy. Scand., 1832, {carassius). 



Body oblong, compressed, and elevated. Mouth terminal, without barbels. Teeth 4-4, 

 molar, but compressed. Scaleslarge. Lateral line continuous. Dorsal tins very King, with 

 the third ray developed into a stout spine, which is serrated behind; anal short with a simi- 

 lar spine. Ventrals well forward. Large species of the fresh waters of Europe and Asia' 

 often domesticated. (Carassius, a Latinization of the vernacular names Harass or Karausche, 

 applied to the European Crucian car)), C. carassius.) 



CAR.\ssirs auratus (Linna;us). Goldfish. 



D. II, 18; A. II, 7; Lat. 1, 26; teeth, 4-4. Body stout, covered with largo scales. Dorsal 

 and anal fins with the spines strong, coarsely serrated. Coloration olivaceous, usually 

 orange, or variegated in domestication. Length, 12 inches. China and .Japan; introduced 

 everywhere as an aquarium fish, aud now naturalized in many of our eastern streams. The 

 variations are innumerable, (auratus, gilded.) 



Cyprinns anralus, LiNN.T.rs, Syst. Nat., Ed. x, 1758, 323. 

 Carassius auratus, Gl'NTHER, Cat., vii, 32. 



Other European species, us the Tench {Tinea tinea (LinnaMi.s)) and the Ido {Idus iilus {Linna>us)), 

 have been introduced into America, but none of these are yet well established anywhere. 



