THE CARP FAMILY. 113 



and Siberia, forming in those countries an important 

 article of food. In the vicinity of Yakutsk it is taken 

 with nets in the winter, at which time it is quite torpid. 

 The fishermen select the largest, and return the others to 

 the water, where they revive with spring. Even when the 

 lakes are frozen to the bottom the fish survive, and, on the 

 arrival of a thaw, issue from the mud in which they had 

 buried themselves *. Ekstrom tells us that the Crucian 

 Carp is a very indolent fish, never quitting its native spot 

 unless compelled to do so. It keeps almost constantly near 

 the bottom, approaching the surface only in warm, sunny 

 weather. Its food is the same as that of the common Carp. 

 It spawns about June earlier or later according to the 

 fineness of the season and at this time the fish collect in 

 dense shoals and move quickly about. The eggs, which 

 are deposited amongst the weeds, are soon hatched, but the 

 growth of the fry is slow* 



The principal characteristics of the Crucian Carp are : 



Scales large. Comparative length of head to depth of body as 1 to 2, 

 and to the whole length of fish, tail included, as 1 to 5. Depth of body 

 compared with total length of fish as 2 to 5. Tail nearly square at 

 the end. Lateral line straight, containing 34 punctured scales, with 

 7 scales above it to the base of the back-fin, and 6 below it to the 

 base of the ventral fin. Mouth toothless ; throat- teeth in a single row 

 (containing 4 teeth) on each side j no barbels. Colour of upper part of 

 body rich golden brown, becoming lighter and more yellow towards 

 the belly j fins dark brown. 



Fin-rays : D. 4 | 17 : P. 14 : V. 9 : A. 3 | 6 : C. 19. 



* Pallas's Zoographia. 



