THE CARP. 205 



portions partially or entirely enclosed in a bony capsule 

 (Cobitidince)" 



This large family is found in most of the fresh-waters 

 of the Old and New World. Day remarks "that in 

 Europe and Asia it appears to take the place of the Sal- 

 monidce of the colder North, increasing in numbers as the 

 tropics are approached, until in Asia the genera are very 

 numerous. Some few forms are said occasionally to be 

 found in salt lakes ; also some are stated to descend to 

 the brackish tidal waters of estuaries, or even to the sea." 



This family is also found in a fossil state in the Tertiary 

 fresh-water formations, and many of these can be referred 

 to existing genera. 



In the Cyprinidce, some are omnivorous, others carnivo- 

 rous, insectivorous, or graminivorous ; Day, /. c. 9 says " the 

 difference in their food being indicated to a great extent 

 by the character of their interior pharyngeal teeth and the 

 extent of their digestive tract." 



First group, Cyprinus. The anal fin very short, with 

 not more than five or six (exceptionally seven) branched 

 rays ; dorsal fin opposite ventrals. Abdomen not com- 

 pressed ; lateral line running along the median line of 

 the tail. Mouth frequently with 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 forms, which are small and 

 feebly developed. Air-bladder present without osseous 

 covering (Gunther). 



We shall divide our British Cyprinoids into two groups 

 (i.) Those with barbels, as the Common Carp (Cyprinus 

 carpio), the Barbel (Barbus vulgaris), the Gudgeon (Cyprinus 

 gobio), and the Loaches (Cobitidince), which form a second 

 group of the true carps. (2.) Those without barbels the 

 Crucian Carp (Carassius vulgaris), the Bream (Abramis 

 brama), the Roach (Leuciscus rutilus), the Chub (L. cephalus), 

 the Rudd (L. erythroplhalmus), the Dace (L. vulgaris), the 

 Bleak (L. Alburnus), the Minnow (L. phoxinus), and the 

 Tench (Tinea vulgaris). 



