INDIAN CYPRINID#. 257 
bivorous,* and might perhaps be referred to the Gudgeons; but until all 
these points be settled, it would be idle to dwell farther on the parallel re- 
lations between the typical and sub-typical groups. 
52. Cyprinide, of all fishes of equal importance are those that appear to 
have occupied least, the attention of naturalists ; a circumstance the more: 
curious, as in consequence of their being peculiar to fresh waters they are more 
universally distributed in the interior of continents, where they ought to be 
more familiar and useful to man than any other family of the same class. 
Regarding their distribution, little has hitherto been made known. It 
would not appear that there is any one species common to Europe and 
America ; it is not however to be supposed that we are yet prepared to form 
an accurate comparison between the Cyprinide of the old and new worlds, 
since the majority of species in either seems as yet to be but ill defined. Nor 
is it to be supposed that ichthyology has yet been prosecuted in America to 
an extent at all likely to make us acquainted with the numerous species that 
must inhabit the extensive lakes and rivers of that continent. Of African 
species few only are referred to by Cuvier, while the Nile is known to present 
some species that are not found in the south of Europe. The Chinese species 
may yet be said to be almost unknown, with the exception of a few 
determined by Cuvier from the very doubtful data afforded by paintings ; 
although it is seldom that so favourable an opportunity is afforded for 
collecting information on any branch of natural history, as that which the 
British embassies in China possessed, for investigating the peculiarities 
of the fresh water fishes of that empire, from the length of time they passed 
in boats on some of the principal rivers. Nor is any thing whatever known, 
as far as I am aware, of the existence of Cyprins in New Holland or any 
* Leucis vulgaris, L. tidus and L. rutilus are probably herbivorous, and according to the 
length of their intestine may either be added to one or other of the groups here indicated. 
M 
