170 



cf jtatural 



CYPRIS. A genus of Entomostracpus 

 Crustacea, containing numerous species, 

 many of which are British. Their general 

 appearance, to one ignorant of natural his- 



OTFRIS VIDtTA 



tory, is that of a bivalve shell. They are 

 mostly found in fresh or stagnant water, 

 where they sometimes abound in myriads. 

 Delicate though they are, yet there are 

 abundant indications, in strata of different 

 formations, of their existence in a previous 

 condition of the world, and, like shells and 

 some other fossils, they form curious and in- 

 teresting medals of creation. [See ENTO- 



HOSTRACA.] 



CYPRUS BIRD. The Black-cap (Sylvia 

 atricapilla\ which has received this name 

 from its frequency in the isle of Cyprus. It 

 is by no means uncommon in this country. 

 [See BLACK-CAP.] 



CYTHEREA. A genus of marine Mol- 

 lusca, of which there are numerous species, 

 inhabiting the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. 

 The shell is equivalve, inequilateral, tri- 

 angular or transverse ; ligament on the 

 longest side ; four cardinal teetli in one 

 valve, and three in the other. In their 

 beauty and colouring these shells much re- 

 semble the Venus. One species, the Ci/thcrea 

 hisoria, is found in the Chinese seas : it is 

 used by the Japanese and Chinese in certain 

 games, and the interior is painted by them 

 of various colours. 



DAB. (Pteuronectes Umcmda.') This spe- 

 cies of flat-fish is of a very broad, ovate shape ; 

 generally of a uniform pale brown colour on 

 the upper side, and white on the under side ; 

 the lateral line is very much curved at the 

 beginning, but afterwards proceeds straight 

 to the tail. It is usually caught along with 

 Plaice and Flounder, from which it is rea- 

 dily distinguished by the roughness of its 

 scaly surface, and its flesh is considered su- 

 perior to either. It feeds on small fish and 

 Crustacea ; and is in highest perfection for 

 the table in February, March, and April. 

 It is caught on various parts of our coasts, 

 averages about eight or nine inches in length, 

 and is well known in the London markets. 



The LEMON DAB, SMOOTH DAB, or SMEAR 

 DAB (Pleuronectes tern), is much larger than 

 the preceding, more rare, and its flesh is 

 equally esteemed. It approaches nearer to 

 a rhomboid in form than any of the genus ; 

 and is a handsomer fish than the common 

 Dab, on account of the various shades of 

 reddish brown and yellow which are seen on 

 its upper side. The body is smooth, and 

 covered with a mucous secretion : the head 

 is very small ; the eyes are placed very near 



each other ; and the mouth is full of small 

 teeth. 



The LONG DAB (Pleuronectes limanddides'), 

 as its name imports, greatly exceeds the 

 other species in length, approaching, in fact, 

 much nearer to that of the sole ; the form of 

 the body being an elongated oval, almost 

 equally pointed at both ends. It is covered 

 with harsh scales ; is an inhabitant of the 

 northern seas ; and preys on small crabs and 

 other crustaceous and molluscous animals. 



DACE. (Cyprinus leuciscus.} The Dace, 

 or, as it is sometimes called, the Dare, or 

 Dart, is a fish of the Cyprinnlce family, and 

 is rather like the Roach, both in habits and 

 appearance, but the former is more local 

 and less plentiful than the latter. It is 

 found in clear and quiet streams, and feeds 

 upon worms and other soft substances : it is 



DAOB. (OYPRINtJS LEnOISOUS.) 



gregarious, extremely vivacious, and, like 

 the Trout, it will occasionally rise either at 

 the day-fly, or at an artificial fly. The head 

 of the Dace is small, and the muzzle pointed ; 

 the back is slightly elevated, and the tail 

 much forked ; the scales are rather small, 

 the sides and belly silvery, and the general 

 form of the body elegantly shaped. During 

 the months of April and May the Dace is in 

 the highest season. " The Dace," says Mr. 

 Yarrell, " is frequently used as bait for Pike 

 in trolling, on account of its silvery bright- 

 ness ; but where live bait are required, as 

 for night hooks, Roach are preferable, on 

 account of their being more tenacious of 

 life." Although this fish, in warm weather, 

 seldom refuses a fly at the surface of the 

 stream, and thereby affords an expert angler 

 much diversion ; during the cold months the 

 bait must be sunk within three inches of the 

 bottom. 



DACELO. A genus of Kingfishers, from 

 New Holland. For an account of them we 

 are indebted to Mr.Gould. [See KINGFISHER.] 



DACNIS. A genus of small and elegant 

 Passerine birds inhabiting Mexico. The co- 

 lour of the body is cerulean blue ; the fore- 

 head, shoulders, wings, and tail are black; 

 and it has a sharp, conical bill. 



DACOLYTHUS. An appellation given 

 to a small fish, a species of the Loach, from 

 two to three inches long. The head is 

 broader and flatter than the rest of its body, 

 which is brown with black spots there are 

 two beards on each side of the upper jaw 

 and on the gill-covers are two sharp prickles. 

 It is partial to shallow brooks with stony 

 bottoms. 



DACTYLOPTERUS. A genus of Acan- 

 thopterygious fishes, the generic characters 



