1 93 



Var. 



LARGE-SCALED CARP. 



THIS variety, which occurs in some parts of Ger- 

 many, is figured by Bloch under the title of Rex 

 Cyprinorum. In shape and colour it resembles the 

 common Carp, but is distinguished by the extra- 

 ordinary magnitude of the scales, which are often* 

 so large as nearly to equal the size of a half-crown 

 piece : they are also placed rather irregularly on 

 the fish, some parts of which appear bare, while the 

 others are covered by the broad plates or scales 

 before-mentioned : in general they are disposed in 

 two rows on each side, one parallel with the back, 

 and the other with the abdomen, which part is 

 covered by others disposed in a less regular manner. 

 This variety is said to be superior to the common 

 Carp in point of flavour, and often grows to a great 

 size. The young are observed to exhibit the same 

 proportional size and disposition of scales with the 

 full-grown animals, for which reason Dr. Bloch is 

 inclined to suppose this fish to be really distinct 

 from the common Carp. 



v. v. P. i. 13 



