2840 



THE BONY FISHES AND GANOIDS 



the pectoral fin toward the lower surface. The cleft of the mouth is always 

 peculiar in having a nearly perpendicular direction. The pectoral fins are 

 unusually tall, and the dorsal is placed far back, and above the anal, which resem- 

 bles that of the bream in its numerous rays. On the pharyngeal bones the teeth are 

 arranged in a double series, and are strongly hooked. In profile this fish, which 

 generally ranges from six inches to a foot in length, is remarkable for the straight- 

 ness of the line of the back, and the convexity of its lower border. It is widely 

 distributed in Eastern Europe, being common in the Black and Caspian seas, as 

 well as in their affluent rivers. In form this fish makes a curious approach to the 

 members of the herring tribe. 



Loaches 



GIANT I.OACH, COMMON I.OACH, AND SPINY LOACH. 



(One-half natural size.) 



With the small fishes known as loaches, of which there are three 

 European genera, we come to the second subfamily {Cobitin(g~) of the 

 carp tribe, which is characterized by the air bladder being either partially or 

 entirely inclosed in a bony capsule; false gills being always absent. In these fishes 

 the body may be elongate, oblong, compressed, or cylindrical, but is never depressed; 

 the muzzle and lips are fleshy; and the small, inferiorly-placed mouth is furnished 

 with from six to twelve barbels. The median fins are spineless, the dorsal having 

 a variable number of rays, but the short anal possessing but few, while the pelvic 

 pair may be wanting; scales small, rudimental, or absent, and when present, cycloid, 



