CAEE OF GOLDFISH 259 



Celestial: If there were oculists among goldfishes, 

 the celestials would probably be among the first and 

 most profitable patients, for this variety is afflicted 

 with defective eyesight. It is a telescope having 

 spheroid eyes, but instead of their facing from the 

 sides of the head as in other fishes, they are upturned 

 towards heaven, whence the name "celestial," a name 

 further appropriate from the fact that it originated 

 among the Chinese. They are pretty eyes neverthe- 

 less, for the small, dark pupils are surrounded by 

 large clear yellow irises. The celestial has another 

 unusual characteristic, namely, that it is without a 

 dorsal fin. This gives the back a queer barrel-like 

 appearance. Added to these oddities are two more 

 a disposition to swim near the surface with its pop- 

 eyes out of the water, and an apparent stupidity. 

 There is little or no activity about the fish, any one 

 can take it in the hand without a struggle, and it may 

 be guided anywhere in an aquarium by gently pressing 

 a stick against its sides. The head is very short and 

 with only the suspicion of a snout. The body is egg- 

 shaped, tapering towards the tail. The colour is a pale 

 reddish gold. The pectorals, ventrals and anal are 

 all pendant, but short. The caudal resembles that of 

 a young fringe-tail. It is said that in China, the 

 celestial is regarded as a sacred fish and kept in many 

 of the oriental temples. It is a very difficult fish to 

 keep, and is therefore not found frequently among 

 either breeders or in private aquaria. 



