218 



rilK I'KKSll-WATEK FISHES OF EUKUrE. 



Siebold records that the colours change in the breedino^ season, as in J. vimha, 

 and on the whole considers that so many intermediate forms bridge over the 

 interval between these species that A. elongatm cannot claim specific rank. 

 It is, however, a smaller fish, commonly about ten inches long, and not 

 exceeding thirteen inches. It is well known as an article of food in most of 

 the fish markets of Northern Germany, and is met with throughout Russia, 

 in the lakes of the Austrian Alps, and along the Danube, both in Hungary 

 and Roumania. 



Ahrcunh tenellna (Nordmann) is from the rivers of the Crimea, and Kessler 

 thinks that it is possibly the Ahram'u persa of Pallas. Gunther remarks that 

 it is closely allied to A. rhalja. Its pharyngeal teeth are 5 — 5. There are 

 nineteen to twenty-one rays in the anal fin, fifty to fifty-seven scales in the 

 lateral line, with nine rows above the lateral line, and seven rows below it. 



Abramis ballerus (Linn.eus). 



D. 11, A. 39—12, V. 10. Scales: lat. line 09—7-3, transverse 



This species is distinguished by the remarkable length of the base of the 

 anal fin, which commences opposite the dorsal, and extends almost to the tail, 

 and by the position of the mouth, which is oblique (Fig. 121). The proportions 



Fig. 121 — ADKAMIS DALLEIUS (l.IXN.liVs). 



of the body are not very unlike those of i)reeeding species, the greatest height 

 in front of the dorsal fin being one-quarter of the length, and the thickness is 

 one-third of the height. The head is only about one-sixth of the entire length ; 

 the eye has the usual })roportion of a quarter the length of the head. The angle 



