FAMILY CYPRINID.E CATOSTOMUS. 201 



THE MULLET SUCKER. 



Catostomus aukeolus. 

 plate xxii. fig. 133. — (state collection.) 



Catostomus aureolus. Lesueur, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sciences, Vol. 1, p. 95. 

 C. id., Gilt Sucking Carp. Richardson, Faun. Boreal. Am. Vol. 3, p. 119, 



Characteristics. With four or five dusky longitudinal stripes. Anal extending beyond the 

 base of the caudal fin, which is furcate. Length twelve to eighteen inches. 



Description. Body subcylindrical, compressed towards the tail. Scales very large, adhe- 

 rent, subquadrate, longer than high, subequal ; the surface covered with minute concentric 

 stria; ; the attached portion with 10-12 irregular radiating raised lines ; the posterior portion 

 with about four distinct radiating raised lines, and numerous radiating striae ; the free margin 

 irregularly rounded ; the anterior margin prolonged in its medial portion. Twenty-four scales 

 were counted in the course of the lateral line, and twelve in an oblique course from the origin 

 of the dorsal to the base of the ventral fins. The lateral line arises from about the upper 

 third of the opercular margin, and is nearly straight. Head smooth, flattened above. Snout 

 ending in a blunt point. Eyes rather oblong, * 5 in their greatest diameter, and about three 

 diameters apart. Nostrils double, contiguous, 0'3 in advance of the eyes, with a semilunar 

 valve on the anterior margin of the posterior pair. Mouth plaited, protractile. 



The dorsal fin arises nearly equidistant between the tip of the snout, and a point vertical 

 to the posterior ray of the anal fin : it is composed of fifteen rays ; the first short, the second 

 longest, both simple, the remainder branched ; the edge of this fin slightly emarginate. 

 Pectorals large, pointed, with eighteen rays ; the first simple, rigid for nearly half its length. 

 The ventrals broad, truncated, with nine rays. The vent covered by a sort of membranous 

 pouch. Anal long and pointed, with robust rays ; the first, slender, short ; the fifth very 

 long, its tip reaching beyond the base of the caudal fin, which is forked, and often with 

 unequal lobes. 



Color. Greenish above, with metallic greenish reflections when viewed in certain lights. 

 Sides lighter, with the same metallic reflections ; beneath white. About five dusky obsolete 

 longitudinal lines on each side above ; the superior pair arising from the origin of the dorsal 

 fin, diverging and then uniting behind the neck. Gill-covers with metallic brassy reflections. 

 Upper part of the head and snout bluish brown. Pectorals, ventrals and anal tinged with 

 reddish. Dorsal and caudal bluish brown. Irides golden, varied with white. 



Length, 18-0. Depth, 3 "5. 



Fin rays, D. 15 ; P. 18 ; V. 9 ; A. 8 ; C. 18 |. 



The specimen described above, was one of the largest dimensions. It is very indifferent 

 food. It is very common in Lake Erie, and at Buffalo passes under the various names of 

 Mullet, Golden Mullet, and Red Horse. In August and September, I observed them to 



Fauna — Part 4. 26 



