84 FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



C. Bostoniensis. Le Sueur. The common Sucker. 

 Memoirs of American Academy of Arts and Sciences, vol. xxi., et fig. 

 Journal Academy Nat. Sciences, Phil. vol. i et fig. 



This species was first described by Peck, in the " Memoirs 

 of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences," and quite 

 well figured as the " Cyprinus catostomus" of Foster. In 

 the excellent monograph of the genus : ' Catostomus" contained 

 in the first volume of the " Journal of the Academy of Natu- 

 ral Sciences." Le Sueur describes and figures this fish with 

 the specific name of " Bostoniensis." In the spring and 

 autumn, it is not unfrequently found in the Boston market ; and 

 in a mild winter, they may be met with at almost any time. 

 They are generally taken in Charles River at Watertown, and 

 sometimes attain the weight of five pounds. But little value 

 is attached to them by the fishermen, and not unfrequently 

 they are thrown away for want of demand. They are occa- 

 sionally brought into the city by the cartload, and palmed off 

 upon the ignorant, as the mullet. 



The specimen before me is fifteen inches in length. Body 



subcylindrical. Color of the back a slight brown, darker 



towards the head, which is nearly olive colored ; sides of a 



reddish brown, presenting a beautiful metallic lustre ; beneath, 



white. Scales on the anterior portion of the body much smaller 



than upon the posterior. Length of the head to the entire length 



of the body including the tail as 1 to 5 ; head perfectly smooth ; 



rows of mucous pores are seen on the back of the head, and 



above and beneath the eyes. Eyes moderate in size, circular ; 



pupils black ; irides golden ; distance between the eyes equal to 



one quarter the length of the head, when the jaws are closed. 



Mouth small ; lips corrugated ; jaws destitute of teeth. Oper- 



cula golden. Nostrils just in front of the eyes ; double ; anterior, 



larger and circular ; posterior, narrower and transverse. The 



lateral line, which is composed of sixty-four scales, commences 



back of the anterior portion of the operculum, and curving 



