GEN. CYPRINUS. THE PRUSSIAN CARP. 51 



lighter and more yellow on the sides beneath the 

 lateral line, and on the belly; the fins are dark 

 brown ; the mouth small ; the irides golden yellow ; 

 the scales large, with concentric striae strongly 

 marked upon them. 



(Sp. 97.) C. gibelio. The Prussian or Gibel 

 Carp. Mr. Pennant informs us that this species is- 

 common in many of the fish-ponds about London, 

 and other parts of the south of England ; although 

 he does not consider it as indigenous, but a natu- 

 ralized fish, the date of whose introduction is un- 

 known. Mr. Yarrell conceives it is of somewhat 

 wider distribution; that it spawns at the end of 

 April or beginning of May, and is very prolific. He 

 adds, though known to be very numerous in some 

 situations, little success attends the angler who en- 

 deavours to catch them^ as they seldom bite freely ; 

 the fish is exceedingly tenacious of life ; and he has 

 known them recover and survive after having been 

 kept out of water for thirty hours. " The top of 

 the head, and back, are olive brown; the sides 

 lighter ; the abdomen almost white, the whole fish 

 shining with a brilliant golden metallic lustre ; the 

 pectoral, ventral, and anal fins are orange red ; and 

 the lower part of the tail tinged with the same 

 colour." Mr. Pennant states that the flesh is ex- 

 tremely coarse and but little esteemed ; Mr. Yarrell r 

 that it is white and agreeable ; with the help of 

 some of Mr. Boccius' German recipes, w:e doubt not 

 it could be made, in the words of the record, *' verj- 

 fine this way." 



