PISCES. 215 
7, is another; the silvery pigment lining whose scales is used in the manu- 
facture of artificial pearls. Tinca vulgaris (pl. 84, fig. 12) sometimes 
attains a considerable size. Gobio fluviatilis (fig. 6) is likewise extensively 
distributed. Barbus vulgaris (pl. 84, fig. 10), or the barbel, a fish of some 
-veputation among anglers, has been known to attain a weight of 154lbs. 
Cyprinus auratus, or the common gold fish (pl. 85, fig. 12), is pre-eminently 
conspicuous among fresh-water fish for the beauty of the colors. The young 
fish is of a brown color, in which, after a time, there appear silver specks, 
which increase until the entire fish becomes silvery white. In this state it 
is known as the silver fish. Subsequently it gradually assumes a golden red 
color. The true home of this fish, called kin-yu in China, appears to be a 
lake near Tschang-Hon in the province of The-Kiang, whence it was 
carried to the different waters of China and Japan, and subsequently to 
Europe. It is generally kept in glass globes, or small vessels, in the house, 
care being taken to provide an abundance of fresh water every day. The 
gold fish are easily kept in fish ponds, where they multiply rapidly. In the 
cisterns or tanks used to contain the water for condensing the steam of 
steam-engines, they thrive remarkably well, owing to the amount of greasy 
matter floating on the surface ; even though the temperature of the water 
reaches 100° F. and upwards. The river Schuylkill, near Philadelphia, is 
well stocked with gold fish, from individuals which escaped from certain fish 
ponds near that city. They also occur in the Hudson River. 
When kept in globes, the gold fish devour insects, worms, bread, fat earth, 
&c., with avidity at certain times, although they totally refuse all food at 
others. They eat pieces of cracker with great greediness ; care, however, 
should be taken, not to give them more than they can consume at the time, 
as any portion uneaten, when dissolved in the water, affects its respiratory’ 
properties. In confinement, the form is apt to vary considerably, certain 
monstrosities, as three or four tails, being sometimes produced. These fish 
spawn in May, and if not watched will eat theirown eggs. This should be 
prevented by removing the latter to a separate vessel, and exposing to the 
sun. The flesh is very pleasantly favored. 
Another species, Cyprinus carpio (a variety of which, Cyprinus rex 
cyprinorum, is shown in pl. 84, fig. 11), is found abundantly throughout 
Europe, where it is highly prized as an article of food. For this purpose it 
is kept in preserves and ponds, where it attains to a large size. Individuals 
of eighteen pounds’ weight have occasionally been caught. Like the gold 
fish, this carp has been naturalized in North Ameriva, especially in the 
Hudson River, where it abounds, and is protected by legislative enact- 
ment. 
North America abounds in species of Cyprinide, many of which are yet 
undescribed. With species belonging to some ‘of the genera above- 
mentioned, as Alburnus, Gobio, &c., there are many of genera peculiar to 
herself. No true Cyprinus is, however, found, nor perhaps Barbus, although 
there are many species with the barbels characteristic of these genera. 
Closely allied to Leuciscus, in size and general structure, but differing in 
the possession of barbels, is the genus Chilonemus, one species of which, C. 
419 
