HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 281 



CYPRINUS AURATUS, LIN. 

 The Golden Carp. 

 (PLATE XXI. FIG. 1.) 



Cyprinus auralus, LIN., Syst. Nat. 



BLOCH, in. pi. 93, 94. 



Gold Carp, PENNANT, Brit. Zool., in. p. 490. 

 Golden Carp, JENTNS, Brit. Vert., p. 403. 

 Gold Carp, YABRELL, Brit. Fishes (2d edit.), I. p. 361. 

 Golden Carp, Gold-fall, GRIFFITH'S Cuv., x. p. 377. 

 " " STOKER, Report, p. 82. 

 " " DEKAY, Report, p. 190. 

 Le Carpe dorte, Cyprinus auratus, Cuv. et VAL., xvi. p. 101. 



" " STOBER, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 407. 



" " " Synopsis, p. 155. 



Carrassius auratus, HECK., iu Buss. Reise, n. p. 1014. 



Color. All the upper part of the body a bright orange ; sides lighter ; beneath, 

 silvery. Fins color of the back. Occasionally the larger species are dark-colored 

 above, and the fins are margined with black. 



Description. Body convex in front of dorsal fin. Its greatest depth is equal to 

 rather less than one fourth its length. Scales large, striated. The lateral line pursues 

 nearly a straight course to the tail. The head is flattened between the eyes ; its length 

 is equal to the greatest depth of the fish. Eyes prominent ; their diameter is equal to 

 one half the distance between them. Mouth small, very projectile. Nostrils large. 



The dorsal fin commences on the anterior half of the body, and is as long again as 

 high. The first two rays are spinous ; the first is very short and slightly roughened 

 behind ; the second is much longer, and is strongly serrated posteriorly. The first two 

 membranous rays are higher than the others, which gradually diminish in height to its 

 posterior extremity. 



The pectorals arise just back of the opercula, and extend beyond the origin of the 

 ventrals. 



The ventrals commence on a line beneath the origin of the dorsal fin, and are of the 

 same length as the pectorals. 



The anal fin is higher than long ; its first two rays are spinous, serrated behind like 

 those of the dorsal. 



The caudal fin is deeply lunated. 



The fin rays are as follows : D. 15. P. 15. V. 9. A. 7. C. 18. 



Length, six to ten inches. 



Remarks. This beautiful species, which is a native of China, was introduced many 



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