PRACTICAL CARP CULTURE. 



15 



be the original species improved. We give this variety this much atten- 

 tion, not because of its superiority to the other varieties, but to help right 

 an attempted injustice. 



The mirror carp, as the cut shows, is but partly covered with scales, 

 which are sheeny and bright and beautiful, reflecting the light in gorgeous 

 tints and colors, and from this peculiarity of the scales it obtained its fan- 

 ciful and thoroughly descriptive name. -These scales are irregular both in 

 size and shape, and are scattered along the back and the sides of the 

 belly from gills to tail, and along either side on the lateral line from 

 gills to tail is a broken row of irregular sized scales, while about the 

 gills and tail a few scales are also scattered. The rest of the body is 

 naked of scales. The row of irregular scales on the lateral line from gills 

 to tail is the practical matter of difference between the mirror and the 

 leather variety. 



The difference in appearance between the mirror and leather carp, as 

 before observed, is in the absence of rows- of the scales on the lateral 

 line on the sides, otherwise they are much the same in form, in shape and 

 in covering. The scales on the leather carp frequently vary in number 

 and in location, like the spots on a pig, they may be found anywhere on 

 the body. Sometimes more of them, and sometimes less of them; some- 

 times in one place, sometimes in an other, but usually along the back and 

 about the tail and fins. 



These last two varieties, the mirror and leather carp, grow more 

 rapidly, but do not multiply so fast as the scale variety ; but none the less 

 are probably more plentiful and numerous than the scale variety. The 

 cause of this lies in two facts: First, because of the greater number of 

 these imported by the U. S. Commission. The natural consequence being 

 that the Fish Commissions of the several States sent out more of these 



