ABRAMIDINES. 
791 
Genus ALBURNUS. 
of the dorsal fin situated at a distance from the tip of the snout less than three times the length of 
Length of the base of the anal fin less than 1 / 5 {between 16 and 18 %) of that of the body , and also 
Pectoral fins longer than the longest ray in the dorsal fin. Point of the lower jaw 
Scales thin and deciduous; nucleus situated in 
the anterior half of the scale. 
the body — we find that in this respect the Bleaks and 
Beginning 
the head. 
less than that of the head. 
projecting distinctly beyond the tip of the snout. 
The genus of the Bleaks, according to Gunther’s 
Cat (dog lie, contains 15 recognised species from Europe 
and Southwestern Asia, most of them described by 
Heckel from the latter region, which thus seems to 
be the true home of the genus. They are small, but 
lively fishes, readily attracting attention in rivers and 
lakes, where they sport at the surface in chase of in- 
sects, or in eager contest for every breadcrumb thrown 
to them. 
They are distinguished from the other genera of 
the subfamily, with the exception of the “Ziege”, by 
their comparatively low dorsal fin, generally lower even 
than in the preceding subfamily, excluding the Minnow. 
But on comparing the height of the dorsal fin with 
the length of the pectorals — a relation which is not 
without importance in preserving the equilibrium of 
the Ziege rank with the adult Leuciscines, except the 
Roach, where, as in young specimens of the Scandi- 
navian Leuciscines in general, the length of the pec- 
toral fins is less than that of the longest ray in the 
dorsal fin. The majority of the Scandinavian Abrami- 
dines, on the other hand, thus retain, like the Roach, 
in this respect one of the characters of youth among 
the Leuciscines. 
The name of the genus dates even from the time 
of Ausonius“. Linnaeus employed it in a specific sig- 
nification; but Heckel restored it to the generic rank 
it had occupied in Rondelet * * * 6 , and separated 0 the 
Bleaks under this name from the other Cyprinoid 
genera. Rondelet’s Alburnus, however, was evidently 
distinct from this genus. 
a The continuation of the lines quoted above (p. 751) from the Mosella of Ausonius runs: 
“Et Alburnos pra?dam puerilibus hamis?” 
“And Bleak, an easy catch for angling boys.’’ 
6 De Pise., part. II, p. 208. 
c Russeggers Reisen , 1 Bd., 2 Th., p. 1036. 
Scandinavian Fishes. 
100 
