112 BRITISH FRESH-WATER FISHES 



crucian carp, has not the muddy taint which naturally pertains 

 to the common carp, and there must be few Englishmen who 

 can check his experience by their own. For my own part, 

 my acquaintance with this fish is limited to its behaviour in 

 an aquarium, whereof I have found them docile denizens 

 and easily managed. They accept gratefully consignments of 

 breadcrumbs, varied with small earthworms ; if you want 

 to provide your captives with a special delicacy, turn in a 

 cupful of those bloodworms which in summer stain the 

 shallow parts of dirty ditches. They are the larvae of dif- 

 ferent species of Chironomus^ a gnat-like insect which abounds 

 wherever there is stagnant water. 



The term " crucian " has been a puzzle to some etymolo- 

 gists, and one does not arrive far on the road to its solution by 

 explaining it as a corruption of the German name for this fish 

 — Karausche — which has received a Latin form in the specific 

 name for the genus — Carassius. Some confusion also has ensued 

 from the name of Prussian carp given to the variety above 

 referred to, and its distinction under the scientific title of 

 Carassius gibelio. This, as well as the C. moles of Agassiz and 

 C. oblongus of the Austrian naturalists, Dr. Gilnther regards as 

 mere varieties of the crucian carp. 



The Golden Carp, or GoId^Fish [Carassius auratus) 



Teeth. 

 Pharyngeal. 



Fin Formula. 

 Dorsal : i6 to 19 rays, of which the first is curved, 



bony and serrated. 

 Anal : 8 rays, of which the first three are bony. 

 Pectoral 



Ventral ■ Variable. 

 Caudal J 



The well-known Gold-fish (Carassius auratus) must be 

 recognised as having acquired a permanent place among the 

 fresh-water fishes of Britain, seeing that, although usually 



