CARP, a name applied to many fishes be longing to the Cyprintda. The members of this family inhabit fresh waters and are extremely numerous in genera, species and individuals. It is estimated that there are more than 1,000 species. One group of the family, found in North America, includes fishes known as suckers, buffalo-fishes, redhorses and mullets, while another group contains the minnows, dace, fatheads, chubs, etc. They are all soft-finned fishes, with a stout, serrated spine, which stands in front of both the dorsal and anal fins. There are no teeth in the mouth, but they are developed in the pharyngeal bones; that is, in the throat. The flesh is not of the best quality and is full of fine bones. The name carp is especially applied to one fish — Cyprinsts carpio. This was introduced into North America from Europe by the United States Fish Commission, but it came originally from Asia. It inhabits our streams and lakes, where it is increasing rapidly in numbers. It reaches a length of two feet and may attain a weight of 40 pounds. It is a scaly, compressed, robust fish, with well developed barbels and dorsal fin, and a short anal one; it is of brownish hue. Owing to its
hardiness, its durability under extreme tempera tures, the facility with which it may be raised because of its adaptability to sluggish ponds and swampy lakes, it might form an important element in the fish food-supply of the North American interior, since farmers can raise it easily in their mill-ponds. It feeds upon vege table fare, larvae, insects, etc., and during the winter months hibernates, at which time it re quires no food. The eggs, also, are very hardy, and number several hundred thousands to each individual. They adhere to aquatic grasses and weeds.
The carp is usually covered with large scales; but one variety of it, the `mirror carp' has only a few large scattered scales; while another species, the uleather carp,' is wholly without scales. Consult the publications of the United States Fish Commission, and Gill, 'Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections' (Vol. XLVIII, Washington 1907).