84 THE FRESII-WATER FISHES OF EUROPE, 



dorsal, but lias a shorter base and shorter rays. The pectoral fin is some- 

 what ovate; its longest rays are more than half the length o£ the head. 

 The ventral fins are about equally long ; their first and second rays generally 

 terminate in fine points. The caudal fin is pointed in the middle, and the 

 rays radiate like a fan. All the fins are extremely soft, and terminate in 

 membrane, so that the rays are counted with difficulty. 



Fine scales are found behind the eyes and on the sides of the head and 

 throat, but the body is covered with thick ovate scales, with concentric 

 growth. Very delicate scales are found on the bases of the fins, and the 

 second dorsal has scales upon its hinder half. The scales are embedded 

 in the skin, which surrounds them, and they give it the aspect of being 

 covered with pits. The smallest scales on the body are found along the 

 lateral line, which is near to the back at its commencement, descends to 

 the middle at the side, and runs horizontally to the tail. 



The stomach has an elongated form like a wide sack. The pyloric 

 region is surrounded by about thirty appendages, which are of unequal 

 size, grouped in bundles, and connected with each other by a common 

 canal, which opens into the intestine. The liver is tri-lobed. The air- 

 bladder extends the entire length of the abdominal cavity. Its anterior 

 extremity is constricted or heart-shaped, and is supplied with a large blood- 

 vessel. The principal mass of the kidney is situate at the extremity of 

 the abdominal cavity, but sends small lobes forward. The large, long 

 urinary bladder terminates with the ovary or milt duct in a genital papilla, 

 w^hich is situate behind the vent. The ovaries are contained in a thin 

 peritoneal sac, which is scarcely half as long as the abdominal cavity. The 

 milt is shorter still. The colour of the back, sides, and fins is a more 

 or less clear olive-green, marbled with cloudy spots of blaekish-brown. 

 The belly, ventral fin, and throat are w^hitish. 



The size varies in different parts of Euro])e. In the Danube it is from 

 one foot and a half to two feet long ; but the weight is only three or 

 four pounds, though in the Austrian lakes, such as the Fuschler See and 

 Atter See, it is usually from eight to twelve pounds, and occasionally 

 sixteen pounds. In North Germany it rarely exceeds a length of about 

 nineteen inches, and a weight of two pounds, though specimens weighing 

 thirty pounds have been captured in the Rhine. Blanchard relates that one 

 weighing forty-two pounds is said to have been purchased by the city of 

 Strassburg for 600 francs for a breakfast given to Charles X., but does not 

 pledge himself to the accuracy of the tradition. 



This fish is hardy, and found indifferently in large riv^ers, small streams, 

 elevated lakes, and low-lying ponds, though it usually lives in deep water, 



