CAEE OF GOLDFISH 257 



fan-tail was among the commonest of the fine breeds, 

 but the variety has been crossed and recrossed to such 

 an extent that a pure fan-tail is now comparatively 

 scarce. 



Fringe-tail: A fringe-tail is one of the most gor- 

 geous of aquarium fishes. It is perfection in beauty, 

 grace and richness of colour. Mr. Wolf says of it: 

 "The long lace-like tail and fins, the rich, burnished, 

 metallic lustre, the marvellous brilliancy of colour, the 

 finely modelled form and the perfection of graceful 

 movement, are truly typified in this justly prized fish. ' ' 

 A perfect fringe-tail has a short and almost truly 

 oval body, with a short head. The caudal fin, which 

 is double and at least two and one-half times longer 

 than the body, droops in graceful diaphanous folds. 

 The ventrals, pectorals, and double anal, are all very 

 long and pendant. The dorsal, the crowning glory 

 of a fringe-tail, is arched high in front and curves 

 evenly downward towards the caudal. The scales are 

 small and of a rich, red, shining, gold colour. From 

 fringe-tails were developed ribbon-tails and veil- 

 tails. 



Ribbon-tail: The chief difference between a rib- 

 bon-tail and a fringe-tail is that the caudals are each 

 divided for nearly or quite the whole length into rib- 

 bon-like parts. 



Veil-tail: A veil-tail is extremely difficult to dis- 

 tinguish from a fringe-tail. The caudal is more 

 voluminous, and is decidedly more diaphanous and 



