. Natural history. Zoology. 498 PISCES—SUB- CLASS HI.—TELEOSTOMI. mammals. Unlike the cat-fish, the carpfs prefer clear water; and while the majority subsist on a mixed diet, some prefer animal substances ; some others confine themselves more or less exclusively to food of a vegetable nature. Although the family approaches the Siluridce in point of numbers, the im- portance of its members claim for it a somewhat fuller notice. The typical sub-family Cypridince is characterised by the air-bladder being divided by a transverse constriction into two chambers, and not invested in a bony capsule. W
. Natural history. Zoology. 498 PISCES—SUB- CLASS HI.—TELEOSTOMI. mammals. Unlike the cat-fish, the carpfs prefer clear water; and while the majority subsist on a mixed diet, some prefer animal substances ; some others confine themselves more or less exclusively to food of a vegetable nature. Although the family approaches the Siluridce in point of numbers, the im- portance of its members claim for it a somewhat fuller notice. The typical sub-family Cypridince is characterised by the air-bladder being divided by a transverse constriction into two chambers, and not invested in a bony capsule. With the exception of the Oriental genus Homcdoptarm— in which they are increased to three, and the air-bladder is wanting—the number of pairs of barbels does not exceed two, but one or both of these may be absent. Of the various genera of this sub-family, the typical Gyprhms includes a small number of species from the fresh waters of tem- perate Asia and Europe, the common Gypriniis caipio having been originally introduced to the latter continent from the former. In common with certain other genera, Cyprinus generally has the short anal fin provided with five or six branching rays ; but it is specially characterised by the lateral line oc- cupying the middle of each side of the tail, and by the dorsal fin having its Fig. 27.—Common Caep. front edge placed immediately above the pelvic pair, and including one serrated bony, and more than nine branching rays. The blunted muzzle carries two pairs of barbels ; and the teeth form a complete triple series, the outermost of which are adapted for crushing. From this genus, Garassim, which includes the crucian carp of Europe and the gold-fish of China and Japan, dilfers by the absence of barbels. Nearly allied is the very large Old World genus Barbus, typified by the common European barbel, but also well knowia in the person of the huge mahasir (B. tcyr), which affords such excel- lent sport with rod-and-lino from Kashmir to Ce
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