1885.] NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 36t 



A REVIEW OF THE SPECIES OF THE GENUS ESOX. 

 BY SETH E. MEEK AND ROBERT NEWLAND. 



In the present paper is given the synonymy of the species of 

 the genns Esox, with an analytical key b} - which the species can 

 be determined. The specimens which we have studied belong to 

 the Indiana University. 



We acknowledge our indebtedness to Professor Jordan, for the 

 use of his library and for other aids. 



Genus ESOX. 

 Esox Artedi, Genera 14, 1 738 (includes the modern genera Esox, Belone and 



Lepidoshus). 

 Esox, Linnaeus, Systenia Natiuae, 1758, 314 {lucius, etc.). 

 Lucius, 1 Rafinesque Idice d'lttiol. Sicil, 1810 {lucius). 

 Picorellus, Rafinesque, Ichthiol. Ohioensis, 1820, 70 (vittatus) salmoneus 



(subgenus). 

 Mascalongus, Jordan, Klippart's Second Rept. Ohio Fish Comin., 1878, 92 



(nobilior-masquinongy) (subgenus) . 



Analysis of Species of Esox. 

 a. Cheeks and opercles entirely scaly. 



b. Bi-anchiostegals normally 12 (11 to 13) ; scales in the lateral 



line 105 to 108; D. 11 or 12 ; A. 11 or 12 ; middle of eye 



nearer tip of lower jaw than posterior margin of opercle. 



c. Head short, 3| in length of body ; snout 2| in length of 



head ; e}'e 2f in length of snout. Color dark green ; 



sides with about twenty distinct blackish curved bars; 



fins plain. Americanus. 1. 



cc. Head longer, 3^ in length of bod}' ; snout 2^ in length 



of head ; eye 2^ in length of snout. Color greenish, 



sides with many narrow curved darker streaks, 



usually distinct and more or less reticulated ; fins 



mostl}' plain. Vermiculatus. 2. 



1 The name Esox is in this paper restricted to Esox belone L., the type of 

 the genus Belone Cuvier, while the name Lucius is reserved I'or the pikes. 

 The name Esox lias been universally associated with the Pikes rather than 

 with the Gar-fishes, 1 ml perhaps in strict technicality, the name Lucius 

 should be used for the former and that of Esox lor the latter. It is perhaps 

 not unfair, however, to assume that Linnaeus would have considered the 

 Pike, rather than the Gar-fish, as typical of his genus Esox. 



