]84 THE FRESH- WATER FISHES OF EUROPE. 



Leuciscus pyrenaicus (GUNTHER). 



D. 11, A. 1112, V. 10. Scales: lal. line 4446, trans. 8/6. 



This is a very common species in the middle and north of Spain, but also 

 occurs in the south in the Guadiana and Guadalquivir. In the north it reaches 

 a length of nine to eleven inches, but in the south varies from nine to five 

 inches in different streams. The proportions, vary a little with almost every 

 river, and when the northern and southern forms are contrasted the differences 

 almost amount to varieties. In mountainous districts specimens are longer, 

 thinner, and darker. The height of the body is equal to the length of the 

 head, and is about one-fourth of the total length, exclusive of the caudal 

 fin. The head is twice as long as broad. Its upper surface is slightly 

 convex. The inter-orbital space is contained twice and two-thirds in the 

 length of the head, but may be one-third of the length of the head in some 

 specimens; it is less than twice the diameter of the eye. The diameter of the 

 eye varies from less than one-fifth to one-sixth of the length of the head. Less 

 than its own diameter separates the eye from the snout. The jaws are nearly 

 even in front. The cleft of the moderate mouth scarcely reaches below the 

 front of the orbit. The hindermost sub-orbital bone is rather larger than the 

 first. The intermediate part of the sub-orbital ring is broad ; the third bone 

 is scarcely narrower than the fourth. 



The origin of the dorsal fin is opposite to the fifteenth or sixteenth scale of the 

 lateral line, and a little behind the root of the ventral fin. The anal fin is but 

 little higher than long, and has its free margin straight. The caudal fin is 

 forked. The pectoral fin terminates far in advance of the ventral. The ventral 

 fin is more than half the length of the head. There are three longitudinal series 

 of scales between the lateral line and ventral fin. Some small specimens have 

 only thirty-nine to forty scales in the lateral line, and many of these are only 

 half the usual size. Other examples have as many as forty-six scales. The 

 scales show numerous radiating striae. Dr. Giinther states the colour to be 

 move or less uniform, sometimes with a well-defined brown spot at the base 

 of each scale, so placed that the spots form longitudinal series. 



In the middle of Spain it spawns in April, but earlier in the south. The 

 young when only two and two-third inches long already breed. 



In Portugal it is known as Hordalo or Roballinho, and in Spain as Cacho. 

 It is common in all the rivers of the south of Spain and Portugal. 



Steindachncr who first described these fishes, regarded them as Chub. 



