MALACOPTERYGII. 569 



uous among fresh-water fish for the beauty and variations of their 

 colors, are of this family. The true home of these fish is a lake 

 in China, whence they have been taken, and introduced to other 

 countries. When kept in globes, care should be taken not to 

 give them more food than they can eat at a time, as the uncon- 

 sumed portion, dissolving in the water, may affect their breath- 

 ing. The eggs should be removed to another vessel, or else the 

 fish will eat them. 



The GUDGEONS, C. goibio, appear to delight in slow rivers, and 

 swim together in shoals. They seize the bait with avidity, and 

 hence afford excellent amusement to anglers. 



The SLIMY TENCH, Tinea vulgaris, is common in lakes of the 

 European continent, and sometimes found in ornamental waters 

 and ponds, but is seldom found in rivers, being fond of still and 

 muddy waters. It is considered a very prolific fish, and of quick 

 growth. The Tench ranks among the most useful fresh- water 

 fish of Europe. 



The BLEAK, Cyprinus alburnus or Alburnus lucidus, is another 

 European species, from the scales of which is chiefly obtained 

 the silvery matter used in the preparation of artificial pearls. 



The VARIEGATED or CARP BREAM, Alt amis versicolor, is a 

 savory fish, sometimes called the Yellow-bellied Perch and Wind. 

 Fish ; found in the Connecticut and Hudson Rivers, and in other 

 waters. When a light breeze ruffles the water, thousands of" 

 these fish are sometimes seen darting to the surface. Near 

 Peekskill, N. Y., it is called the Dace, from its resemblance to 

 Dace of Europe, C. leuciscus. 



The BARBEL, of Europe, Barbus, (Lat. from ~barba, a beard ;) 

 vulgaris, named from the cirri or barbs attached to its mouth, 

 frequents the deep and still part* of rivers, is very numerous 

 in the Thames, Eng. Its flesh is coarse and unsavory, and held 

 in little estimation. 



Several species of Dace are found in North America. Among 

 them are the Black-nosed Dace, Leuciscus atronasus, (Lat. black- 

 nosed ;) the SPAWN-EATER, L. Hudsonius, supposed by fisher- 

 men to live entirely on the spawn of other fishes, first described 

 by DeWitt Clinton, formerly governor of the State of New York ; 

 the SHINER, L. chrysopterus, (Gr. yellow-finned ;) the SILVERY 

 DACE, L. argenteus, found in Massachusetts; the PIGMY DACE, 

 L. pygmaus, which is only an inch long. Other species are 

 sometimes quite small. 



The SUCKERS, Catastomus, (Gr. kata, against; sfoma, mouth,) 

 embrace many species known by their very fleshy lips, which 

 can be applied to any object like a sucker. Different names are 



