868 FISHES—CYPRINIDZA. 
Habitat, Maine to Alabama and Texas, north to Minnesota. Every where abundant 
except in the South Atlantic States, where it is superseded by the southern N. ameri- 
canus (L..). 
Diagnosts.—This species bears little resemblance to our other Ohio 
Cyprinide. In general, it may be known by the long anal fin, and by the 
carinated belly, over the middle line of which (behind the ventral fins) 
the scales do not pass. 
Habits—This large species is especially characteristic of sluggish 
waters. In every lake, pond, or bayou in Ohioit is extremely abundant ; 
in weedy bayous most of all. The yellow pond lily is its favorite shel- 
ter. Shallow ponds, left in the spring by the overflowing of some stream, 
will often be found full of them, their companions in distress in such 
cases being often Amiurus xanthocephalus and natalis, Umbra lume, Esox 
salmoneus, and Erimyzon sucetta. This fish in form and coloration some- 
what resembles a Shad, and it has been frequently taken for such by 
careless observers. Rafinesque himself placed it among the Clupeidz, 
which fact accounts for the general neglect of his name, Notemigonus. 
GENUS CARASSIUS. Nilsson. 
Carassius, NILSSON, Prodromus, 
Type, Cyprinus carassius, LL; Carassius vulgaris, Nilss. 
Etymology, from Karass or Karauach, the vernacular name of the Kuropean Crucian Carp. 
Body oblong, compressed and elevated; mouth terminal, without barbels; teeth 4-4, 
molar not compressed ; seales large; lateral line continuous; dorsal fin very long, with 
a stout epine, which is serrated behind; anal short, with a similar spine; large species, - 
of the fresh waters of Europe and Asia, often Qomesticated. One species, the familiar 
Gold-fish, is here domesticated, and has become naturalized in some streams. 
CARASSIUS AURATUS (Linnzus) Bleeker. 
This fish, native of the fresh waters of China, and domesticated in all parts of the 
world as an aquarium fish, is too well known to need deseription. There are twenty 
species in the fresh waters of Ohio, more beautifully colored than this coarse and 
gaudy fish, and more desirable for aquarium purposes in every respect, excopt that of 
tenacity of life. 
GreNus CYPRINUS. Linnezeas, 
Cyprinus, LINNZUS, Systema Natura, i, 525. 
Type, Cyprinus carpio, L. | 
Etymology, kuprinos, Carp. 
Body short and deep, resembling that of a Buffalo-fish; head heavy; mouth anterior, 
rather narrow, with four long barbels; doreal fin long, with a strong, serrated spine ; 
anal short; seales large, reduced in number, or wanting in some of the domesticated 
varieties; teeth molar-like, 1, 1, 3-3, 1, 1. Europe and Asia, one species; introduced 
into America, 
OS a eh a ee 
