100 THE FRESH-WATER FISHES OF EUROPE. 



with cylindrical mucus-canals of moderate size. The mucus-canals of the head 

 are well developed, and unite with a branch from the lower orbital border, 

 which extends towards the upper lip and has numei'ous invisible pores. The 

 pseudo-branchiae are invisible. The first gill-arch has long-, close-set rake- 

 teeth, which are toothed on their inner border. The other gill-arches are 

 smaller, but similarly toothed. The vertebras number nineteen in the abdo- 

 minal region, and thirteen in the tail. The alimentary canal is similar to that 

 of the Carp, but is relatively shorter, being from one and a half to one and 

 three-quarter times the length of the body. 



The colour varies with habitat and with the season of the year. But 

 typically the head is olive-green above, with brassy-yellow sides. The back is 

 a darker greenish -brown, with the brassy-yellow of the cheeks prolonged 

 down the sides of the body. The belly is reddish-white. The pectoral, 

 ventral, and anal fins are reddish, and the other fins yellow, with grey borders. 



The Crucian Carp is seldom larger than six inches long, and one pound 

 and a half in weight. A fish of two pounds is exceptionally large. 



For the greater part of the year it frequents the bottom of the water, pre- 

 ferring ponds and lakes, and never moving far from its native place. It 

 burrows in the mud for worms and larva?, and swallows some mud with its 

 food. According to Von Siebold, it sometimes spawns as early as the end 

 of May, but most observers record the spawning about midsummer, when it 

 comes often to the surface of the water. 



At spawning-time the fishes collect in shallow places where the bottom is 

 covered with plants, and assemble in great numbers, and then, like the Carp, 

 are seen continually smacking their lips on the surface of the water. The 

 eggs, which are attached to the water-plants, number, according to Benecke, 

 from 100,000 to 300,000. 



This species is hardy and tenacious of life, and increases rapidly ; but under 

 ordinary conditions of nutrition grows slowly. In ponds where animal excreta 

 abound, or where the fishes are fed with burnt malt, they become fatter and 

 better flavoured ; and in two years may reach a weight of three-quarters of a 

 pound. They live for six or seven years. Their flesh is not usually valued for 

 food, though it does not acquire a muddy flavour. It is said to disagree with 

 some people, but in certain parts of Sweden is looked upon rather as a dainty. 

 Crucian Carp are kept principally to feed predatory fishes, which are preserved 

 in ponds. Notwithstanding the wide gill-aperture, they will live for hours 

 out of water, and can be easily packed or transported in snow or damp leaves. 



They are captured with nets of all kinds. 



In England this Carp is found in the Thames and neighbouring ponds to 

 the west of London, where it spawns in April or May. It is widely distributed 



