INDIAN CYPRINID^. 



257 



bivorous,* and might perhaps be referred to the Gudgeons ; but until all 

 these points be settled, it would be idle to dwell farther on the parallel re- 

 lations between the typical and sub-typical groups. 



52. Cyprinidcs, of all fishes of equal importance are those that appear to 

 have occupied least, the attention of naturalists ; a circumstance the more 

 curious, as in consequence of their being peculiar to fresh waters they are more 

 universally distributed in the interior of continents, where they ought to be 

 more familiar and useful to man than any other family of the same class. 



Regarding their distribution, little has hitherto been made known. It 

 would not appear that there is any one species common to Europe and 

 America ; it is not however to be supposed that we are yet prepared to form 

 an accurate comparison between the Cyprinidce of the old and new worlds, 

 since the majority of species in either seems as yet to be but ill defined. Nor 

 is it to be supposed that ichthyology has yet been prosecuted in America to 

 an extent at all likely to make us acquainted with the numerous species that 

 must inhabit the extensive lakes and rivers of that continent. Of African 

 species few only are referred to by Cuvier, while the Nile is known to present 

 some species that are not found in the south of Europe. The Chinese species 

 may yet be said to be almost unknown, with the exception of a few 

 determined by Cuvier from the very doubtful data afforded by paintings ; 

 although it is seldom that so favourable an opportunity is afforded for 

 collecting information on any branch of natural history, as that which the 

 British embassies in China possessed, for investigating the peculiarities 

 of the fresh water fishes of that empire, from the length of time they passed 

 in boats on some of the principal rivers. Nor is any thing whatever known, 

 as far as I am aware, of the existence of Cyprins in New Holland or any 



* Lena's vulgaris, L. idus and L. rutilus are probably lierbivorous, and according to the 

 length of their intestine may either be added to one or other of the groups here indicated. 



M 



