ABKAMIS BJORKNA. 



At the breeding 1 season the colours become dai'ker in both sexes, and the 

 fins acquire an orange tint, but Fatio thinks the colour may to some extent 

 denonu upon the food. The male frequently has small tubercles developed 

 on the scales. 



The pharyngeal bones are characteristic, being much more rounded than in 

 other Abramidina. Opposite to the anterior tooth, the outer side of the anterior 

 process is inflated. The formula, according to Von Siebold, is 3'5 5'3 in 

 Bavaria, and, according to Heckel, 2*5 5'2 in Austria, and in Switzerland 

 Fatio finds both types as well as 1*5 5'1, 2*5 5*3, and 2'6 5'2 ; so that we 

 can only infer some variation with geo- 

 graphical distribution (Fig. 125). 



The fish which Nordmann described 

 as Abramis laskyr, and records as com- 

 mon in the Black Sea and rivers flow- 

 ing into it, is a variety in which the fins 

 are more developed. 



There are twenty vertebra in the thorax, 

 and the same number in the tail. 



The Abramis laskyr of Pallas has been 

 thought worthy of recognition by many writers (Fig. 126). 

 is more than one-third of the length, and the thickness is less than one-quarter of 



Fig. 125. PHARYNGEAL TEETH OF ABRAMIS 

 (BLICCA) BJORKNA. 



Its greatest height 



Fig. 126. ABRAMIS BJORKNA, VAR. LARKYB. 



the length. The forehead is smaller than in the preceding type. All the fins are 

 brown, and the red base is wanting in the pectoral and ventral, but Nordmann 

 states that the colour varies locally, and with the season. It is common in the 

 15 



