FISHES. 31 



where they sometimes grow a foot long ; swim actively 

 and gracefully; sometimes they acquire black spots. 

 Their flesh is more savory than that of the common 

 carp. The smallest of the cyprinidae is 



The Bitterling (cyprinus amarus) ; greenish-yellow ; 

 almost transparent, and of a silvery whiteness on the 

 under surface of the hody. Its length is not more than 

 two inches ; the flesh has a hitter taste, and is sometimes 

 brought to the table in mistake for the groundling. 



The Barbel (cyprinus barbus) is longer than the carp ; 

 olive green on the back, bluish on the sides, with four 

 filaments, cirri, on the lower lip. Mostly one foot in 

 length ; is sometimes measures two, and is one of the 

 most common as well as abundant of the tribe ; lives in 

 swiftly running rivers, with gravelly bottoms, hiding in 

 holes under the stones. The flesh is white, and well 

 tasted ; the roe, however, is said to create pain in the 

 stomach. 



The Gudgeons (cyprinus gobio), plate 21, fig. 2, are 

 five inches long, with moderately-sized heads ; olive- 

 green, with black dots ; spotted on the sides with blue, 

 and covered with gold colored scales. They are found 

 in all the rivers of Europe, and in some are very abun- 

 dant ; will feed readily on decaying carcasses : never- 

 theless their flesh is eaten, and esteemed as being tender 

 and palatable. 



The Tenches (cyprinus tinea) have very small scales, 

 and are slimy; resemble the carp; are more than a 

 foot in length ; the fins are violet color. These fish live 

 in stagnant waters, and feed on the same aliment as the 

 carp ; if removed from the muddy pool to clear water, 

 so as to lose the bad taste acquired in the foul, their 



