I 86 THE CARP TRIBE. 



The chief difference between the Pilchard and 

 the Herring is that .the body of the former is more 

 round and thick ; the nose shorter in proportion, 

 turning up ; and the under jaw shorter. The back 

 Is more elevated, and the belly not so sharp. The 

 scales adhere very closely, whilst those of the Her- 

 ring easily drop off. It is also in general of a consi- 

 derably smaller size. But perhaps the situation of 

 the dorsal fin is as good a criterion as any. This in 

 the Pilchard is so backward that the fish, when held 

 up by it, dips from an horizontal line forward : 

 when the Herring is held by its dorsal fin it remains, 

 in equilibrio. 



THE CARP TRIBE. 



MOST of the Carp tribe inhabit the fresh waters, 

 where they feed on worms, insects, aquatic plants, 

 fish, and clay or mould. Some of them are migra- 

 tory. They have very small mouths and no teeth, 

 and the gill-membrane has three rays. The body is 

 smooth, and generally whitish. On the back there 

 is only one fin. 



THE COMMON CARP*. 



These fish are found in the slow rivers and stagnant 

 waters of Europe and Persia ; and here principally 



Cyprinus cavpio. Linn. Pent:. Brit. Zool. vol. 3. tab. 70. 



