84 FISH GALLERY. 



[Case 20.] The Characinidce (Case 20) are confined to the fresh waters of 



Africa and tropical America. This family includes herbivorous 



as well as strictly carnivorous forms ; some are toothless, whilst 



others possess a most formidable dentition. Many are provided 



with an adipose dorsal fin, like the Salmonida and some Silurida. 



Among the carnivorous forms, Myletes (Caribe) and Hydrocyon 



are most destructive to other fishes, and are known to attack and 



annoy even bathers. 



[Case The Cyprinidcs, or family of Carps (Case 22 a), is the most 



Commit num erously represented in the fresh waters of the Old World and 



nication North America. Most feed on vegetable and animal substances ; 



(jallery.j a f ew QQ y^. are exc i us i ve } v vegetable-feeders. The absence of teeth 



in the jaws is compensated by the development of large teeth on 



the pharyngeal bones. The Carp (Cyprinus carpiu), originally a 



Fier. 71. 



Pharyngeal bones and side-view of one of the teetli of the Chub. 



native of the East, abounds in a wild state in China, where it 

 has been domesticated for many centuries ; thence it was trans- 

 ported to Germany and Sweden, and the year 1614 is assigned 

 as the date of its introduction into England. Two allied and 

 common species are the Crucian Carp (C. carassius) and the Gold- 

 fish (C auratus). The Catla of the Ganges [Catla buchanani) is 

 one of the largest Cyprinoids, growing to a length of more than 

 three feet, and esteemed as food. The Barbels (Barbus) are a genus 

 very numerous in species, inhabiting the temperate and tropical parts 

 of the Old World ; one species is British {B. vulgaris) ; B. mosal, or 

 " Mahaseer " (fig. 72) of the mountain-streams of India, is probably 

 the largest species of the genus, the scales being sometimes as large 

 as the palm of the hand. The White-fish (Leuciscus) are also 



