CHONDROSTOMA GEXEI. 



199 



Ohondrostoma genei (Bonaparte). 



D. 11, A. n, V. 9, p. 16, C. 19. Scales : lateral Hue 52—50, trans. 9/7. 



In Italy this fish (Fig. 109) is commonly called Lasca, but in Lombardy it 

 has the provincial name Sfric, and in the Tyrol is known to fishermen as Lan. 

 It is almost limited to Italy, though specimens are obtained from the River 

 Inn and Bavarian tributaries of the Danube. Dr. Giinther also records it 

 from the Rhone ; and it has been supposed to occur in the upper Rhine, 

 though its presence there is very doubtful. The length varies from five 

 and a half to about eight inches. The s])e(dps is distinguished by its semi- 



C 



Fig. 109. — CHONDKOSTOMA (JUNEI (lU)N.\r.\l{TE) . 



circular mouth, by a dark band which extends over and along the lateral line, 



and by the phaiyugeal teeth, which are 5 — 5 and sometimes 6 — 5. The 



height of the body is equal to the length of the head ; the fish is five and two- 



thiids times as long as it is high. The diameter 



of the eye is one-quarter of the length of the 



head, but its relative size diminishes with age. 



The eyes are separated by a frontal interspace of 



one and a half orbital diameter, and they are the 



same distance from the snout. The nose is 



narrower and blunter than in the Nasling. As in 



other species, the semi-circular mouth (Fig. 110) descends sharply to the angles, 



which do not reach back to the nares. There is a row of six mucus pores 



along the lower jaw. Both dorsal and ventral profiles are flat arches. The 



dorsal fin, which begins half way down the body, is truncate behind ; its 



base is as long as the head. The anal fin has the base as long as the 



Fig. 110. HE.\I) OF CHONDROS- 

 TOMA GEXEI .SEEN I'ROM RELOW. 



