110 



NORTHERN ZOOLOGY. 



and C. chrysoleucas and atronasus, which are most likely Leucisci. Notwith- 

 standing that Dr. J. V. C. Smith has mentioned as inhabitants of the waters of 

 Massachusetts the Gold-fish of China, and the species so well known to European 

 anglers by the names of Roach, Dace, Bleak, and Chub, we require more circum- 

 stantial evidence before we can venture to affirm that any of the CyprinoideEe are 

 common to the Old and New Worlds. 



[51.] 1. Cyprinus (Abramis?) Smithii. (Nob.) La Quesche. 



Family, Cyprinuideae. Genus, Cyprinus. Sub-genus, Abramis, Cuviisk. 





The Cyprini form a very numerous and extremely natural generic group, and 

 maybe easily recognised by the small mouth, toothless jaws, and three flat gill- 

 rays. The tongue is smooth ; the palate is lined by a thick and highly-irritable 

 substance, known vulgarly under the name of the carp's tongue ; and the gullet 

 exhibits a powerful masticatory apparatus : viz., large teeth attached to the lower 

 pharyngeal bones, and fit for squeezing the aliments against a stony or enamelled 

 disk, which is set in a process of the basilary bone. The dorsal is single, and the 

 body covered by scales which are often of a great size. The Cyprini inhabit fresh 

 waters, and are perhaps the least carnivorous of all fish, living in a great measure 

 on seeds, herbs, or even mud. Their stomach is continuous with the intestine, 



