330 



ABDOMINAL SOFT-FINNED FISHES. 



The Carps (Cyprinus). This group is characterized by 

 the absence of teeth in the jaws, and by the existence 

 of a long dorsal fin ; ordinarily the scales are very large. 

 Most of them feed upon grain and vegetable substances. 

 They have in the back part of their mouth a remarkable 

 apparatus for crushing their food. . 



The Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) is found tliroughout Europe ; 

 it delights in tranquil waters, and is easily reared in rivers and 



Fig. 259. — THE CARP. 



ponds. The duration of its life is long, and it is exceedingly prolific. 

 \^^len young, its growth is very rapid, and at six years old it 

 weighs about three pounds. During the winter Carps bmy them- 

 selves in the mud, and pass many months without eating. 



The Golden Carp, or Gold-fish {Cyprinus auratus), is reared in gar- 

 den-ponds and vases on account of the beauty of its colours, generally 

 a beautiful golden-red, with a mixture of black, and silvery-white. 



The Barbels (Barhus) resemble the Carps, but their dorsal iin is 



Ft, 2C0 - r.AnBKi,. 



