54 THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. 
or shorter duration in different individuals, and it will also be seen 
that the number of the tubercles will vary in the different specimens 
upon which they are observed. (See illus- 
tration.) ‘The usual method of distinguish- 
ing the male from the female by not- 
Zing the presence of a short dorsal fin 
is not reliable; in fact, it is not only 
misleading, but false, as such short, or 
more properly speaking, ‘‘deformed” 
dorsal fin, is found just as frequently 
upon female fishes. The tubercles are 
sharp, very similar to the projections upon a 
HEAD OF MALE GOLDFISH. 
rasp, and seem to have for their function 
the assisting of the female to pass its eggs through the canal. This 
theory is apparently substantiated by the fact that the male uses 
them in such a manner by pressing against the belly of the female 
that one is irresistibly led to the conclusion that they can exist for 
no other purpose. 
The females to be selected must show an expanded belly, which 
evidences the maturity of the eggs, as it has been stated before, that 
when arrived at that period, they increase in size, and it is by this 
appearance only that the culturist can decide that the time for the 
female to spawn has arrived. 
It is worse than useless to place in the spawning bed fish that are 
not in perfect condition to perform the functions, as some goldfish 
are sterile, and will only disturb the arrangements that have been so 
carefully made for that purpose. Whether these particular fish will 
remain sterile for a season or for as long as they live can not be 
decided, As arule, it is best to select three females and four males 
when of good size, or six females and four males, when the former 
are small yearlings, for each spawning bed. It is also important to 
