248 



FISHES. 



part of their mouth a remarkable apparatus fo; crushing their 

 food. 



The Common Carp ( Cyprinus carpic,} is found throughout Europe ; it delights 

 in tranquil waters, and is easily reared in rivers and ponds. The duration of its life is 

 long, and it is exceedingly prolific. When young, its growth is very rapid, and at six 

 years old it weighs about three pounds. During the winter carps bury themselves in 

 the mud, and pass many months without eating. 



The Golden Carp, or Gold-fish (Cyprinus auratus] is reared in garden ponds 

 and vases on account of the beauty of its colours, generally a beautiful golden red, 

 with a mixture of black and silvery white. 



The Barbels (Barbus) resemble the carps, but their dorsal fin is shorter. 

 The Common Barbel (Cyprinus barbus) abounds in clear running waters. 



FIG. 260. BARBEL. , 



The Gudgeons (Gobis) have no bony spine in the anterior part of the 

 dorsal and anal fins ; the mouth is surrounded with cirrhi or beards. Though 

 small they are much esteemed. 



The Tenches (Tinca\ in addition to the characters of the gudgeons, have 

 very small scales and very short cirrhi. The Common Tench (Cyprinus 

 tinea) inhabits stagnant waters ; it is generally of a yellowish-brown colour, 

 and attains a foot in length. It is less esteemed than the carp. 



FIG. 261. TENCH. 



The Breams (Abramus) have neither spinous fin-rays nor cirrhi; their 

 dorsal fins are short, but the anal is long. 



The Minnow (Cyprinus Phoxinus}* is a very small fish met with in every 

 brook. 



phoxos, pointed. 



