Section XIII. 
Genus LVII. — 'Ti&e Carp * 
LlNNJEUS makes this genus confift of no lefs than 
thirty-one different fpecies ; analogous indeed in their 
external chara£ters, but differing confiderably in their 
habits and economy. They are all of an oblong and 
oval fhape ; the body laterally compreffed, and covered 
with large imbricated and deciduous fcales. The mouth 
is fmall, and deflitute of teeth ; hence they have been 
denominated leather-mouthed fifhes- They are all di- 
ftinguilhed by three branchiofiegous rays, and one dorfal 
fin rifing from the middle of the back, which is convex, 
and fomewhat carinated. 
The nofirils are covered with valves, by which they 
are alternately opened and fhut ; and the greater part oi 
the genus have cirri , or beards, round the mouth. Some 
of thefe fifh were brought to England, from the fouth of 
Europe , and are now naturalifed in our frelh-water 
