2 



CYPEESriD^. 



developed lips ; barbels present or absent. Suborbitals not covering the 

 cheek. Dorsal fin with or without ossified ray, with 9 to 14 rays, 6 to 

 11 of which are branched*. Anal fin short, with 7 to 10 rays*. A 

 scaly process usually present at the base of the ventral fin. Pharyngeal 

 teeth in three series (2 or 3, 3, 4 or 5—5 or 4, 3, 3 or 2), mostly 

 with hooked, spoon-shaped crowns, one or more of the anterior of the 

 inner series often molariform or mamilliform. 

 Europe, Asia, Africa. 



Fie. 1. 



A. M. C. 



Scales of three species of Barbus. 



A . B. bynni ; B. B. pleurogramnia ; C. B. joerince. 



The structure of the scales varies considerably according to the 

 species. In B. bynni and its allies the exposed surface is striated by 

 numerous longitudinal, scarcely radiating, straight or slightly wavy 

 canals, visible to the naked eye or with the aid of a magnifier of low 

 power f, whilst the centre is more or less finely rugose. In B.fluviatilis 

 and other species with small scales the striations are likewise numerous, 

 but they radiate fan-like from the centre ; whilst in B. perince, and other 

 small species with large scales, they are reduced to from two to five, 

 radiating from the centre, the scales appearing smooth, but for the fine 

 concentric striation (growth-lines) which is present on the scales of all 

 Cyprinids. The three principal types of scales are here figured, as the 

 character has been used in the arrangement of the species. 



* The last ray is bifid and often cleft to the base, so as to appear as two ; even when 

 thus completely divided it is supported by a single bone, and is therefore reckoned as one. 

 t Except in specimens that have had the scales decalcified by preservation in formol. 



