42 FAMILY CYPRINID^E; CARP. BARBEL, LOACH, ETC. 



this country, but was introduced from the South of Europe ; it 

 thrives very well, however, in the most slow-running parts of 

 rivers, and still better in ponds, sometimes attaining the length 

 of four feet. The beautiful little Gold and Silver Fish, belong 

 to a small species of Carp, which is very much disposed to pass 

 into varieties. Nearly allied to these are the Barbel, which 

 sometimes at- 

 tains the length 

 of ten feet; it 

 inhabits ponds 

 and sluggish 

 streams; and is - 

 said to plough i= 

 up the mud 

 with its long 



snout, so as to F;G - ^- 



set adrift in the water the minute animals imbedded in it, and 

 thus to attract the small fishes on which it is itself supported. 

 The Gudgeon, Tench, Bream, Roach, Bleak, Minnow, and many 

 other well-known pond and river-fishes, belong to this family ; 

 as do also the Loach, which habitually buries itself in mud when 

 the weather is cold ; and the Anableps, which is remarkable for 

 being apparently possessed of four eyes. This is not, however, 

 really the case ; for although the cornea and iris are divided by 

 transverse bands, so that there are two pupils on each side 

 (ANIM. PHYSIOL. 533), yet the other parts of the eye are 

 single. The female of this species brings forth her young alive, 

 in a state of considerable advancement. 



568. The family ESOCIDJS, or Pike tribe, is nearly allied to 

 the preceding ; but differs in having the jaws and palate usually 



beset with teeth, and in the 

 voracity of the fishes which 

 it includes. Many of these 



FIG. 275.-PXKE. are ^habitants of fresh 



waters ; others occasionally 



ascend rivers ; whilst others again are confined to the sea. The 

 common Pike is well known as being one of the most voracious 



