Series Ostariophysi 173 



bear a considerable resemblance to the carp. They have the 

 dorsal fin many rayed and the scales large and coarse. They 



FIG. 13o. Buffalo-fish, Ictiobus cyprinella (Cuv. & Val.). Normal, 111. 



abound in the large rivers and lakes between the Rocky Mountains 

 and the Alleghanies, one species being found in Central America 

 and a species of a closely related genus (Myxocyprinus asiaticus} 



FIG. 136. Carp-sucker, Carpiodes cyprinus (Le Sueur). Havre de Grace. 



being reported from eastern Asia. They rarely ascend the 

 smaller rivers except for the purpose of spawning. Although 

 so abundant in the Mississippi Valley as to be of importance 

 commerically, they are very inferior as food-fishes, being coarse 

 and bony. The genus Cycleptus contains the black-horse, or 

 Missouri sucker, a peculiar species with a small head, elongate 



