198 



THE FRESH-WATER FISHES OF EUROPE. 



extends under the nares (Fig. 108). On each side of the lower jaw are 

 three small pores. 



The eye is one-quarter of the length of the head, and is one orbital 

 diameter from the snout. The profile of the back is a greater curve than 

 the outline of the abdomen. It rises rapidly to the dorsal fin, and then sinks 

 to the tail. The dorsal fin is in front of the middle of the body. The anal fin 

 is far behind the termination of the dorsal. The bases of these fins are equal 

 in length, and about half as long as the 'head; but the rays of the anal fin are 

 only two-thirds as long as those of the dorsal. The ventral fins are under the 

 dorsal, are rather wide, and do not reach to the vent. The longest rays 

 of the pointed pectoral fins are four-fifths of the length of the head. The 

 evenly-lobed caudal fin is as long as the head. The lateral line, which corn- 



Fig. 107. CHONDROSTOMA PHOXINUS (HECKEL). 



mences somewhat high up, descends to the termination of the pectoral, and 

 then continues in a straight course to the middle of the tail. The delicate 

 small scales are broader than long, but their broadest diameter is only one- 

 third of that of the eye. They generally show six 

 diverging rays, with relatively coarse concentric striping, 

 and each has a large indefinite area at the base. The 

 colour of the back is blackish, the sides shining silver, the 

 belly white. The pectoral, ventral, and anal fins are a 

 beautiful pale yellow. Black points occur upon the 



part of the head behind the eye, on the shoulder-girdle, and on all the scales 

 above and below the lateral line. At both ends of the body these black pig- 

 ment spots become diffused, so as to form below the lateral line an obscure 

 longitudinal grey band. 



This species is found at Sign, in Dalmatia, and at Livno, in Bosnia. The 

 largest specimens do not exceed a length of five and a half inches. 



Fig. 108. HEAD OF 



CHONDROSTOMA PHOXI- 

 NUS, FROM BELOW. 



