CARPS, 589 



arbitrary and confused. Some of the species which inhabit 

 the large rivers and lakes grow to a length of three feet and 

 a weight of fifteen pounds. The following genera may be 

 distinguished: — Catostomus, "Suckers," "Eed-horses," "Stone- 

 rollers," "White Mullets;" Moxo stoma ; Sclerognatlms, " Buf- 

 faloes," " Black Horses;" and (7arJ^^0(ics, " Spear-fish," " Sail- 

 fish." 



II. Cypeinina. — Anal Jin very short, with not more than 

 five or six, exceptionally seven, branched rays. Dorsal fin oppo- 

 site ventrals. Abdomen not compressed. Lateral line running 

 along the median line of the tail. Mouth frequently loith 

 barbels, never more than four in number . Pharyngeal teeth 

 generally in a triple series in the Old World genera; in a 

 double or single series in the North American for7ns, which are 

 small and feebly developed. Air-bladder present, without osseous 

 ■covering. 



Cyprinus. — Scales large. Dorsal fin long, with a more or 

 less strong serrated osseous ray ; anal short. Snout rounded, 

 obtuse, mouth anterior, rather narrow. Pharyngeal teeth, 

 3. 1. l.-l. 1. 3, molar-like. Barbels four. 



Fig. 272. — The Carp, Cyprinus carpio. 



The "Carp" {C. carp)io, "Karpfen," "La carpe,") is originally 

 a native of the East, and abounds in a wild state in China, 

 where it has been domesticated for many centuries ; thence it 



