ALBURNUS MENTO. 239 



other lakes of Bavaria, and occurs, according to Kessler, in the rivers of the 

 Crimea. 



It spawns in shallow water during the month of May, preferring- places 

 with a stony bottom. According to Heckel and Kner, the fishes pack them- 

 selves close together, with their heads downward in a nearly perpendicular 

 position, and disencumber themselves of the spawn by slashing movements of 

 their tails. The spawn deposited, they swim away; when a second swarm 

 takes their place, and spawns, and they are usually followed by a third 

 swarm. Small white conical warts appear on the male at spawning-time, both 

 on the head and scales. 



It is associated with fishes which are much more valued, and hence is not 

 much sought after by fishermen ; but it is good eating, and appears in the 

 Munich and Vienna fish markets, where it is known as the Mai-Renke. 



Alburnus chalcoides (GULDEN STADT). 



D. 11, A. 18 [? 24], P. 15, V. 9, C. 19. 

 Scales : lat. line 50, transverse 11 5. 



This Bleak is found in Southern Russia, in the Black Sea, the Caspian, 

 the Sea of Azov, and Sea of Aral. It ascends the rivers flowing into those 

 waters, and is found in Northern Persia. The pharyngeal teeth are com- 

 pressed laterally, and curved at the points. The teeth of the inner row are 

 larger than those of the outer row, and their upper part is deeply grooved. 

 Similar, but smaller, teeth are attached to the membrane of the palate. The 

 body, excluding the caudal fin, is four times as long as deep, and the length 

 of the head is equal to the depth of the body. The lower jaw projects 

 beyond the upper. The pectoral fins are well developed, but do not extend 

 to the ventrals. The anal fin begins immediately behind the end of the dorsal. 

 The colour of the body is uniform silver. 



The fish is fat, and taken in great numbers in the Bug, Dnieper, Don, 

 Terek, and Koora. About 2,500,000 are taken annually in the Koora and 

 the Sea of Azov. It is smoked and used for food throughout Russia, under 

 the name of Chamaika. On the shores of the Black Sea it is known to the 

 fishermen as Salaiva. 



Kessler has described Alburnns tauricus from the River Salghir, in the 

 Crimea ; but Giinther regards this form as a hybrid between Alburnus lucid as 

 and Leuciscus do&ula. 



