FISHES. 119 



The scales have a bronze-like tinge, and the fins are red. 

 This fish seldom exceeds lib. in weight. 



The Crucian Carp {Carassius vulgaris), sometimes called the 

 German Carp, is very suitable for the aquarium. It has for 

 a long time been domesticated on the Continent, and now 

 shows several varieties. It seldom exceeds 31b. in weight. 

 The characters and habits of the Grerman Carp and Common 

 Carp are very much alike. The Crucian Carp is a m.uch 

 rarer fish in England than the Prussian Carp ; the latter 

 being found in nearly every part of the country, while the 

 former has been caught, I believe, nowhere but in the 

 Thames. The body is flat and very deep, and much curved 

 both above and below. The stiff rays of the dorsal and anal 

 fins are finely serrated. The head is small in proportion to 

 the size of the body. The scales are large, and of a light 

 golden tinge. The mouth is without barbels. 



The Speigel Carp {Cyprinus rex Cyprinorum) is a most 

 interesting and handsome fish, and appropriately called the 

 " King of the Carp." I keep a fine Speigel Carp in the 

 same aquarium with a number of smaller fish of different 

 kinds, and find it to be very gentle and tame. Its move- 

 ments are generally sedate, but occasionally it indulges in a 

 little violent exercise. It seems to be a very inquisitive fish, 

 apparently taking notice of all that goes on in the room. 

 This Carp is sometimes called the "mirror or looking-glass 

 fish." It is rather rare, and is certainly worthy of a place in 

 any fairly large fresh-water aquarium. It may be fed upon 

 vermicelli. This fish, I believe, originally came to this 

 country from Silesia. The body in shape is very like that 

 of the Common Carp ; the greater part of it is without 

 scales, and it is soft and leathery. On each side of the central 

 fine there is one row of scales, which ax-e large and of a 

 golden colour tinted with silver. There are also a few scales 

 on each side of the fieshy part of the tail, and one or two 

 here and there on other portions of the body. The tail is 

 large and deeply forked. The mouth is small, and has two 

 barbels on each side. The sides of the fish possess a con- 

 siderable amount of sheen. 



