CARP. GOI/D-F1SFT. GUDGEON. TENCH. BREAM. 101 



When young, the growth of Carps is very rapid, and at six years 

 old they weigh about three pounds ; they often attain three or 

 four feet in length. During the winter, they bury themselves in 

 the mud, and pass many months without eating. 



7. The Golden Carp, or Gold-fish, Cyprinus auratus, is 

 reared in garden ponds, and vases, on account of the beauty o f 

 its colours, which are a mixture of black, a beautiful golden red 

 and silvery white. 



8. The Barbels, Barbut, resemble the Carps, but their 

 d}rsal fin is shorter. The Common Barbel, Cyprinus barbus, 

 abounds in clear running waters, and sometimes attains more 

 than ten feet in length. 



9. The Gudgeons, Gobin, also resemble the Carps; but 

 they have no bony spine, (Fit/. 50.) in the anterior part of the 

 dorsal and anal fins ; fhe mouth 



is surrounded with cirri, or 

 beards. There is one species 

 which abounds in the rivers of 

 France, and though small, is 

 much esteemed for its taste. CUDGKON. 



10. The Tenches, Tinea, in addition to the characters of 

 the Gudgeons, have very small scales, and very short cirri. The 

 Common Tench, Cyprinus tinea, inhabits stagnant waters in 

 France ; it is generally of a yellowish brown, attains about a foot 

 in length, and is less esteemed than the Carp. 



11. The Bream*, Ahmmis, have neither spinous fin-rays 

 nor cirri; their dorsal fin is short, but the anal is long. Two 

 species are found in France. In the United States they are 

 small. 



1 2. The Shiner, Cyprinus erusolencas, is among the smallest 

 of fresh- water fishes, being usually less than an inch in length. 

 Shiners are the prey of their larger neighbours, and the sport of 

 school-boys, who angle for them with a crooked pin. 



1 3. The Minnow, Cypi inns atromisns, is another of the very 

 small fishes, scarcely exceeding an inch in length. It is found 

 in the brooks in every part of New England and the Middle 

 States. 



7. What is the Gold-fish? 



8. What are Barbels ? 



9. What are the characters of Gudgeons ? 



10. How are Tenches characterised ? 



1 1. What are the characters of Breams ? 

 1. What is the Shiner ? 



3. What is the Minnow ? 

 8* 



