CYPRINUS. FISHES. 413 



M. cyprinoides, Lin. Forehead with a gibbous projection ; snout 

 obtuse; tail forked. Inhabits the Nile. Geoff', pi. 8, fig. 2. 



FAMILY IV. CYPRINID^. 



This family is characterized by the want of an adipose fin ; by their small mouth 

 and weak jaws, generally without teeth. The pharyngeal bones, however, are strong- 

 ly dentated. The margin of the upper jaw is formed by the intermaxillaries ; the 

 branchial rays are few in number ; the body is scaly ; the intestinal canal short, and 

 without coecums ; and they are the least rapacious of fishes. They are found in fresh 

 waters, and their swimming-bladder is generally divided into two parts by a strangu- 

 lation. 



Gen. 43. CYPRINUS, Cuv. Lin. 



Three flat rays in the branchial membrane ; tongue and palate 

 smooth ; dorsal fin long ; second ray of the dorsal and anal 

 fin spinous and dentated. 



* Cirri at the angles of the upper jaw. 



C. carpio, Lin. The Common Carp. Body greenish olive, deeper 

 on the back ; scales large ; fins violet ; lateral line with black 

 spots. 12 to 16 inches long. Inhabits lakes and rivers in South- 

 ern Europe. B. Shaw, v. pi. 121. 



This species is said to have been introduced into England previous to the year 1496 

 from Germany. They are very long lived, and grow to a great size. They are 

 also extremely tenacious of life. Pennant relates an experiment of placing a carp 

 in a net, well wrapped up in wet moss, the mouth only remaining out, and being 

 fed in this manner in a cellar for a fortnight with bread and milk. Though so 

 cunning in general as to be styled the River Fox, yet at spawning time they suffer 

 themselves to be tickled and caught without attempting to escape. The carp is fed 

 in ponds in some parts of the Continent. 



* * Without cirri at the upper jaw. 



C. auratus, Lin. The Golden Carp. Body of a splendid metallic 

 golden hue, with a shade of scarlet on the upper parts ; silvery 

 below j fins carmine red; tail frequently trifid, and anal fin 

 double, 4 to 6 inches long. Inhabits lakes in Southern China. 

 Shaw, v. pi. 126, 127. 



This beautiful fish is a native of China, but now domesticated all over Europe 

 in rivers and ponds. It is said to have been introduced into England in 1691. It 

 is extremely subject to variations in the domesticated state, not only in colour but 

 even in the number of the fins, the tail frequently assuming a trifid form, and the 

 anal fins becoming double. 



Gen. 44. BARBUS, Cuv. Cyprinus, Lin. 

 Dorsal and anal fins short ; a strong spine for the second or 

 third ray of the dorsal fin ; four cirri, of which two are at 

 the point and two at the angles of the upper jaw. 



B. vulgaris, (C. barbus, Lin.) The Barbel. Head oblong ; snout 

 reddish ; body elongated, silvery gray, with a darker shade on 

 the upper parts ; scales rounded ; second ray of the dorsal fin 

 strong and serrated ; ventral fins pale brown, tipped with yellow ; 

 tail dull purple and forked. 3 to 10 feet long. Inhabits rivers 

 in Southern Europe. Shaw, v. pi. 132. 



