CARP. 



CYPRINUS; of the genus of malacoptc- 

 rj/gii. The order of cyprinus contains 

 nineteen fpecies, the diftingui filing cha- 

 racters of which are, according to Artedi, 

 the branchioffccge membrane on each fide 

 contains three fmall- bones; the mouth is 

 toothlefs except two ferrated bones that 

 are placed near the orifice of the ftomach, 

 which ferveS'inflead of teeth for retaining 

 their food, from whence the term leather- 

 mouthed fi fh is derived. 



Carp are moftly bred in pools, though 

 fometimes found in the deep, ftill parts of 

 rivers, are deep-bodied, and thick, often 

 grow to fix-teen pounds weight ; the fcalc* 

 are large, and yellow on the fides, the 

 back is afh-colour ; the head fmalJ, 

 with a fmgle barb at each corner of the 

 mouth ; fpawn in July, are in feafon 

 from September to May, and are greatly 

 efleemed. Will live long out of their 

 clement, if taken after fun-fetting in the 

 fummer, or in mild weather in the win- 

 ter; . and may be removed alive in fafety 



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