rHE FISHES, MOLLUSCA, AND OTHER OBJECTS. 21 



Gudgeon and Minnow are fishes to be found in the 

 clear running water of almost every streamlet, 

 although the former does not disdain the tarn.' 

 Small as they are, their scales furnish good objects. 

 The scales of the minnow are very delicate, but like 

 every other true species of fish, they possess a 

 distinctive character. This is an important fact to 



?ig. 9. 



Scale of Bream, x 10. 



bo remembered, and one that cannot fail to throw 

 light on geological questions, when the fossil scales 

 of cycloid or ctenoid fishes are in question. The 

 Common Carp (Cyprinus carpid) has long been 

 domesticated for eating purposes, and its use, in the 

 old Catholic times when long fastings were in vogue, 

 is exemplified by the fish-ponds to be seen in the 

 neighbourhood of our ancient monasteries, abbeys, 



