678 



ZOOLOGY FISHES. 



CATOSTOMUS FECUNDUS, Cope & Yarrrow, sp. nov. 

 PLATE XXXII, FIGS. 1, la. 



At the first examination of this species, it was supposed to be identical 

 with Girard's Acomus generosus; but a comparison with his type in the 

 National Museum at the Smithsonian Institution proves it to be a new spe- 

 cies. It is a true Catostomus, having the parietal foutanelle well marked 

 and widely open. The head enters in entire length 5 times, the diameter of 

 orbit G times in greatest length of side of head. The insertion of the dorsal 

 fin anteriorly is nearer the end of the muzzle than insertion of caudal ; the 

 ventrals originating below middle of dorsal. The width of the dorsal to 

 ventral enters the entire length to insertion of caudal 6 times. 



Radii: D. 12-13; A. 1-8 ; P. 17 ; V. 11. Scales, are in 20 longitudinal 

 rows from the insertion of the first dorsal to pectoral, and in 60 transverse 

 rows from branchiae to insertion of caudal ; they are elongate and octago- 

 nal, smaller on dorsal region, and larger on ventral. Body elongated, sub- 

 fusi form. It differs from C. (Acomus) generosus, Gir., in many particulars, 

 as may be seen from the following comparisons : 



Girard's species has no fontanelle ; is shorter and narrower; the diameter 

 of orbit enters greatest length of side of head 5 times instead of 6. The 

 anterior insertion of dorsal fin is equidistant between the end of the snout 

 and the insertion of the caudal, while in C. fecundus it is nearer the end of 

 snoiit than insertion of caudal. The ventrals in C. yenerosus originate under 

 the posterior third of the dorsal; in C. fecundus under the middle third of the 

 dorsal. The radii in C. generosus are: D. 10; A. 2-7; P. 16; V. 10 ; C. 

 27; in C. fecundus: D. 12-13; A. 1-8; P. 17; V. 11. 



This species is abundant in Utah Lake, and is called "sucker" by the 

 settlers. They run well up the rivers to spawn in June ; feed on the bottom 

 and cat spawn of better fish ; spawning beds on gravel ; bite at hook some- 

 times ; are extremely numerous, and are considered a nuisance by the 



