PTTl!M(<ATIOX.S (»F CITAKLKS (ilKAKD, M. 1). 39 



1856. GiKAKO, Chaklk.s — Coutiuiiod. 



All the species referred to in this memoir I have seeu and examined -. there is not a solitary 

 fact hero recorded that was iKtt the result of personal researches. 



On several occasions I have rel'crred to species from the Atlantic States of tlio Union, and 

 even from tlio northern lakes, but it will bo obvious to everyone tliat it was only on such 

 occasicms as could not well bo omitted without sac.rilice to the (H)mpleteness of the subject. 



I have aimed at conciseness as far as consistent with the nature of the task. It was deemed 

 unnecessary to i-ecall, the history of any particular genus, unless it liappenedto be intricate; 

 for wlioever is interested in the snl>i((t is sufhciently familiar witli it. It would be dift'er- 

 eut were I to write a popular worlc on oiu' fishes. 



In the diagnosis of tlie genera I have often repeated characters shared by many of them ; 

 these repetitions I am convinced are needful to their proper understanding. It may not ap- 

 pear so to a few ichthyologists ; but I write for naturalists, for the reader who seek.s after 

 general information. Besides, the method I follow is the natural, the true method; that 

 which has .superseded the artiticial method of the last century. In describing the teeth I 

 have adopted Heckel's phraseology, since it appears to me to answer to the present wants of 

 ichtliyology. 



Tiie coloration, as a general rule, is described from specimens preserved in alcohol, in wliich 

 the brilliancy of the hues is seldom preserved, and occasionally quite altered. 



In the course of these investigations I have carefully compared the fishes of our hemis- 

 phere with those occuiring in the waters of the eastern hemisphere ; and when genera and 

 species, either of fishes or reptiles, have at any time been described as new, it was the result 

 of such comparative study, shunning display of loose erudition and false criticism, which 

 too often leads the true observer into error. 



I have thus added many new genera and species to tlie known lists. Tliis is not surpris- 

 ing; for a country so vast as North America, irrigated by so many branching streams and 

 largo bodies of water in the shape of lakes and numerous ponds, a country comparatively 

 little explored, was to yield many species ^mkno^v^^ to our predecessors in the field. A super- 

 ficial knowledge of the Iiistory of ichthyology iu ISToi-tli America, would at once explain how 

 it is that a " Synopsis of the Fishes of North America," published in 184C, should not liave 

 proved a full and complete record of all existing fishes of the country ; a synojisis which, 

 moreover, only professes to give sucli species as were known at that time. If we are so for- 

 tunate as to be able to add to the known catalogue of genera and species, let us not lose 

 sight of both the time and the circumstances under which we have accomplished it. Recrim- 

 inations, in that respect, are not likely to advance our knowledge on the subject, and, fur- 

 thermore, it j)laces a cotemporary exactlj' iu the same situation towards the next coming 

 generations as the former generations Iield towards him. 



Most of the new genera which I projjose liavo been designated by words taken fi'om the 

 Xorth American Indians, as being more euphonic than any one I might have framed from 

 the Greek. The classic literature has already furnished so many names that there are but 

 few instances in wliicli a name niiglit yet be coined and express Avhat it is intended to repre- 

 sent. I oifer this remark as a mere statement, not as an apology. 

 CyPEINI. 



Mylocheilus, a gass 109 



Mylocheilus lateralis, Ag. ., i 109 



Puget Sound, Dr. Suckley. 



irylocheilusfratercidus, n. s - 1()9 



Monterey. California, Lieutenant Trowbridge. 



2fylocheilus caurinus, G 1()9 



Astoria, Lieutenant Trowbridge. 



Mylopiiarodon, Agass 109 



Mijlopharodon conocephalun. G. 1()9 



San Joaquin River, California. T>r. Heermanii. 



Mylopiiarodon 7'obustns, Avers 109 



San Francisco, California. Dr. Xewberry. 



(Jatostdmi 170 



Carpiodes damalis, ii. s 170 



Milk River (Upper Missouri). Dr. Suckl<"y; Arkansas River near Fort Smith, 

 Dr. Shnmard. 



Ictiobus tuuudua, G - . . - 170 



Rio Grande del Norte. 



Mo.xosTOJiA, Rafin 170 



Moxostoma claviformlg, n. s 171 



Coal Creek, off of South Fork of Canadian River. MoUliausen. 



MoxoUoma Kennerlei, n. s 171 



Dry Creek, Ti^xas, Dr. Kennerly. 



