31 



PRUSSIAN CARP. 



Cyfrlnus Gihelio, Blocii ; pi. 12. Jenyns; Manual, p. 402. 



" " Yarkell; Br. Fishe.s, vol. i, p. 358. 



Carassius Gihelio, Nobis. 



The Prussian Carp appears to be one of two or three^species 

 which have been confounded together under the name of 

 Crucian, Carassius, or Charax; but this last name must be kept 

 separate, as when found in the work of Oppian it is aj^plied to 

 a fish of the sea, and the word in its origin is believed to refer 

 to the sharp or prickly arming of the back. Whether originally 

 a native of England appears uncertain, but there is no notice 

 of its having been introduced into our ponds or deeper slowly- 

 flowing rivers; in which it is sometimes found in considerable 

 numbers. We have obtained it from the Thames, where it 

 abounds more than does the Crucian; but its particular habits 

 have not been attended to, except that it is known to be highly 

 retentive of life when uninjured out of the water. 



This fish is said to have reached the weight of two pounds, 

 but the example described was much less; the length to the 

 fork of the tail seven inches, depth in front of the dorsal fin 

 one inch and seven eighths; the proportions stout and thick, 

 blunt over the front; wide between the eyes, mouth small, jaws 

 nearly equal, without teeth. Eyes moderate; body rising from 

 the mouth to the dorsal fin; back round. Scales on the body 

 large; lateral line at first high, but after sinking a little pro- 

 ceeding straight; with thirty-five perforated scales. Posterior 

 plate of the gill-covers finely striated. The dorsal fin begins a 

 little anterior to the line of the ventrals and ends above 

 the vent; its first ray short, the second strong and serrated; 

 anal small, its first ray serrated; tail bluntly forked. Colour 



