CYPRINID2E. 
39 
FAMILY CYPRINID2E. (Giinth. Cat. vol. vii.) 
I take this Family first, as they are the most gene- 
rally known, and everywhere procurable. 
Geographical distribution. Fresh waters of the 
Old World and North America. 
Description. This family is best recognised by the 
absence of any marked peculiarities. The gold carp is 
an example familiar to most people. The body is 
covered with scales, which do not extend on to the 
head. There is only one dorsal fin, of which the first 
two or three rays (counting from the head) are united, 
and form an unbranched ray, which is frequently bony 
and strong, and is sometimes toothed or serrated on the 
hinder edge. The remaining rays are soft and divided 
towards the free end, the last ray generally appears 
double, care must therefore be taken in counting the 
fin rays not to count this one twice over, as it is in 
fact only one ray. They have no teeth in any part of 
their mouths. The only teeth they possess are situated 
on a pair of bones in the throat, just beneath the gill- 
covcr, these arc termed Pharyngeal teeth, and may be 
in one, or in two, or in three scries. 
Char. No visible teeth. No adipose fin. Body 
covered with scales, head naked. Mouth frequently 
with barbels. 
