100 



FAMILY OF CYPRINOIDES. 



I f Without an 



g adipose fin on 



the back. 



f Margin of 

 the upper jaw 

 formed almost 

 entirely by the 

 intermaxillary 

 bones. 



(Families.) 



f Mouth small, weak, ") 

 and often unprovided j 

 with teeth, except j> CYPRINOIDKS 

 around the pharynx. | 

 Body scaly. J 



Mouth large, and 

 armed with strong, 



pointed teeth. 



Body ordinarily 



covered with very 



small scales. 



Margin of the upper jaw formed in 

 the middle by the intermaxillary bones, 

 and on the sides by the maxillary bones. 



Body scaly. 



Having an f Body scaly, -i. ..... 



adipose fin on<{ 

 the back.* ^ Body unprovided with true scales, 



ESOCES. 



-, 



SALMONIDES. 



} SJLUROIPES. 



* We give the name of adipose Jin to any fin that is not sustained by fin- 

 rays, and only consists of a fold of skin filled with fat. 



3. The CYPRINOIDES, (Cyprinidce,) have a slightly cleft 

 mouth, weak jaws, most frequently without teeth, and a scaly 

 body, without an adipose dorsal fin. They are the least carnivo- 

 rous of the fishes. 



4. One of the principal tribes of this family is the CYPRINUS, 

 which is composed of fresh-water fishes, and includes the Com- 

 mon Carp, the Gold-jish, the Barbel, the Gudgeon, the Tench, 

 &c. This group is characterised by the absence of teeth in the 

 jaws, by the existence of a single dorsal fin, and ordinarily the 

 scales are large. Most of these fishes feed on grains, herbs, &c. 

 They have in the back part of the mouth a masticatory apparatus 

 for crushing their food. 



5. The Carps, Cyprinus, are distinguished by their long 

 dorsal fin which, as well as the anal, is provided with a more or 

 less strong spine for the second fin-ray. 



6. The Common Carp, Cijprinus carpio, is found in all 

 Europe, but has not yet been met with in the United States. It 

 delights in tranquil waters, and is easily reared in rivers and ponds; 

 the duration of its life is very long, and it is exceedingly prolific. 



3. What are the characters of the family of Cyprinoides? 



4. What are the characters and habits of the tribe of Cyprinus ? 



5. How are the Carps distinguished ? 



6. Where is the common Carp found ? What are its habits ? 



