AQUARIUM FISHES 329" 



well as hardy, and well suited to the needs of the beginner. 



Then comes the group, including practically all of the 

 most remarkable varieties, in which the tail and also the 

 anal fin are in duplicate. With most creatures, when abnor- 

 mal repetitions of parts occur, the individual is unable to 

 survive. In the goldfishes, however, the probably fortuitous 

 appearance of monsters has led to the development of the 

 finest breeds. 



The Japanese Fan-tail is the simplest representative 

 of this type, and is always obtainable from dealers. It is 

 not in good repute among breeders of fancy fishes, as many 

 of the specimens are simply degenerates of more advanced 

 forms. Nevertheless, it is frequently very handsome, and 

 is always popular with the tyro. The two tails should 

 be well separated, and not joined at the edges of the upper 

 lobes, as is often the case. 



This fish undoubtedly was the forerunner of the truly 

 lovely Japanese Veil-tail, a breed in which the tremen- 

 dously developed double tail is produced to a great length 

 and width, and droops downward like folds of gossamer. 

 Like all of the following varieties, the Veil-tail should have 

 a short, egg-shaped body, with the dorsal fin carried well up. 



Beside the Veil-tail proper, there are two minor sub- 

 divisions, separated by the shape of the tail extremities. 

 The typical form has a slight notch. When this depression 

 is entirely wanting, the fish is known as a Square-tail or 

 Broad-tail. A very deep incision makes the specimen a 

 Ribbon-tail or Fringe-tail. This is really the finest of the 

 goldfishes, since it is of surpassing grace and beauty, and 

 has not been marred by the hideous extremes to which 

 some others have been carried. 



Having brought the development of the fins to a point 

 approaching perfection. Oriental breeders seem next to 

 have turned their attention to the eyes, with a result which 



