CHAPTER X 



THE MINNOW FAMILY 

 (Cyprinida) 



THIS family of fresh-water fishes numbers 

 probably a thousand species, mostly of small size 

 in America and known universally as " minnows." 

 In the eastern hemisphere the species grow 

 larger, and of these, two have been introduced into 

 America, the German carp and the goldfish. 



Cyprinus carpio. The German Carp. Body robust, compressed, 

 heavy anteriorly ; head 4| ; depth 3^ ; scales (normally) 5-38-5 ; 

 mouth moderate, with four long barbels ; teeth molar, i, i, 3-3, 

 i, i ; dorsal fin elongate, dorsal and anal fins each preceded by 

 a serrated spine. D. Ill, 20 ; A. Ill, 5. 



THE GERMAN CARP 



(Cyprinus carpio) 



The carp was described and named by Lin- 

 naeus in 1758. Its original home was in China, 

 and from thence it was introduced into Europe, 

 and from there to America. 



Since the introduction of the carp into the 

 United States, some thirty years ago, it may now 



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