FISHES OF LAKE SUPERIOR. 307 



the anterior margin remains very short and simple. The ventrals 

 are inserted a little behind the pectorals ; they are five-sixteenths 

 of an inch long ; their form is lanceolate, narrow at the base and 

 pointed at the extremity ; of the six rays which compose it, that of 

 the outer margin is simple, the two central ones are the longest and 

 about equal. The pectorals are the longest of all the fins ; their 

 posterior extremity exceeds somewhat the ventrals. Their base, 

 which measures one-tenth of an inch, forms the fourth part of their 

 length. The rays are twelve ; the central ones are the most elon- 

 gated ; they diminish regularly to each side, giving thus to the whole 

 of the fin the form of an oval elongated at both ends. 



Br. 6 ; D. IX-12 ; C. 6-17.5 ; A. 11 ; V. I. 5 ; P. 12. 



The posterior margin of the scales is semi-circular and finely pec- 

 tinated. The lateral line is concave, and median on the tail ; it rises 

 perceptibly as it approaches the head. The back and two-thirds of 

 the sides are spotted irregularly with black ; excepting a row of 

 larger spots, extending from the posterior margin of the opercular 

 apparatus to the pedicle of the caudal. Below this band, and as far 

 as the under side of the body, it has a uniform yellowish tint. The 

 dorsal and caudal fins, as well as the base of the pectorals, are 

 barred transversely with black ; the others have the tint of the belly. 



This species was first observed at Fort William ; a large number 

 of specimens were also collected at the Pic. 



PILEOMA, Dekay. 



The revision we have made of the species arranged in the genus 

 Etheostoma by authors, has shown the necessity of subdividing 

 this group into several smaller genera, for two of which we have 

 retained names proposed by Dr. Dekay, though he does not seem to 

 have been aware that his species belonged to Rafinesque's old genus 

 Etheostoma. Not being able to give at this time a detailed review 

 of this division without further materials which have no reference to 

 the fishes of Lake Superior, I shall limit myself to indicating the 

 general characters of the genus to which I refer the species described 

 below. 



The body is slender, fusiform, compressed. The head is conical, 



