CHAPTER IX. 



GENERA AND SPECIES, 



THIS Chapter is devoted to distinguishing between the species, 

 though here and there a few characters of the genus are 

 given to assist in identification. For the distinctions between the 

 genera, etc., reference must be made to the preceding chapters. 



Abramis, Plate xxiii. CYPRINID&. 



180. brama, BREAM. Fins brownish and red ; 6J or 7^ scales 



between lateral line and ventral fin ; pharyngeal teeth 

 in one row. 



181. blicca, WHITE BREAM. Fins bluish and red ; 5 or 6 scales 



between lateral line and ventral fin ; pharyngeal teeth 

 in two rows. 



The Bream has a single dorsal fin, with 2 or 3 spines, and n 

 or 12 rays, the anal fin has 3 spines and 24 to 28 rays, the caudal 

 has 19 rays, the pectorals have 15 to 17 rays and the ventrals 10. 

 The dorsal begins midway between the eye and the base of the 

 caudal where the body curves sharply downwards. The anal is the 

 broadest fin. The lateral line has from 50 to 63 scales, and curves 

 downwards from the nape. The scales are higher than they are 

 broad. The body is flat, the curves awkward, and the abdomen is 

 keeled between the ventrals and the anal fin. The head is short, 

 and the mouth does not extend as far back as the front edge of the 

 eye. The colour is olive or yellowish green, lighter on the sides, 

 the fins being of a reddish brown. The Bream is gregarious, so 

 that where there is one there are generally more. As a rule it is 

 confined to lakes and large ponds, or gently flowing waters, and it 

 feeds on plants, insects, and worms. One has been caught that was 

 26 inches long, but perhaps 16 inches may be taken as the average. 



The White Bream has a single dorsal, with 2 or 3 spines and 

 8 or g rays, the anal fin has 2 or 3 spines and from 19 to 24 rays, the 

 caudal has 19 rays, the pectorals have 15 rays, and the ventrals 10. 

 The dorsal begins midway between the ventrals and the anal fin, 

 and the ventrals are nearer to the pectorals than to the anal. The 

 anal is the broadest fin. The lateral line has from 43 to 52 scales, 

 and curves gently downwards from the nape. The scales are higher 

 than they are broad. The body is flat, the curves not so abrupt as 

 those of the Bream, the depression at the neck being not so marked, 



