FISH ES — CYPEINIDAE — PLAEGYRUS BOWMANI , 



263 



The color is reddish brown or fulvous, lighter beneath than above ; the middle of the flanks 

 being silvery. Tlie fins are light yellowish olive, unicolor. 



References to the figures. — Plate LVII, fig. 5, represents Alburnops illecehrosus, size of life. 

 Fig. 6 is a scale from the dorsal region. Fig. 7, a scale from the lateral line. Fig. 8, a scale 

 from the abdominal region. 



List of specimens. 



PLARGYRUS, Rafin. 



Gen Char — Head large and sub-conical ; mouth rather large, terminal; gape more or less oblique upwards. Jaws equal. Eyes 

 large. Isthmus quite narrow. Tail tapering. Caudal fin furcated. The insertion of the ventrals is situated opposite the ante- 

 rior margin of the dorsal fin, or a little behind it. Dorsal and anal fins without strong and undivided rays anteriorly. Scales 

 very large, imbricated, much higher than long. Lateral line forming a downwards curve beneath the middle of the flanks. 

 Pharyngeal bones rather slender, with an angular e.xpansion at the upper portion of the descending branch, the expansion itself 

 tapering away towards the upper and inner extremity. The teeth are compressed, of the prehensile kind, of the hooked type, 

 very slightly hooked, provided with a grinding surface, being disposed upon a double row as follows : 2 | 4 — 4 | 2. 



SYS.—Plargyrvs, Rafin. Ichth. Ohiens. 1820, 50.— Grd. in Proc Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. VIII, 1856, 195. 



Hypsolepis, Baird (MS.)— Grd. in Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass. in Mem. Amer. Acad. New S. V, 1855, 284. 



The genus Plargyrus includes the prettiest species of American Cyprinoids. Their compara- 

 tively small size, compressed and graceful body, sub-fusiform in its profile, added to brilliant 

 and vivid colors, have brought these fishes to the notice of the multitude. They are commonly 

 known as "Red Dace," "Silver-side Fall-fish," "White and Yellow Winged Shiner," 

 " Shiner," &c. They occur in the waters of the Mississippi basin, as well as in the eastern, 

 northern, and southern States. 



The teeth of this genus are figured by Heckel, under the name of Argyreus rubripinnis, the 

 second species of his genus Argyreus, and which is nothing else but Plargyrus cornutus in a 

 breeding dress. 



PLARGYRUS BOWMANI, Grd. 



LATE LIX, Figs. 1 — 5. 



Spec Char. — Head constituting about the fifth of the total length. Posterior extremity of maxillarbone corresponding to a 

 vertical line drawn behind the nostrils. Diameter of eye entering three times and a half in the length of the side of the head. 

 Anterior margin of dorsal fin equidistant between the extremity of the snout and the insertion of the caudal. Origin of ventrals 

 situated opposite the anterior margin of the dorsal, therefore equidistant also between the snout and the base of the caudal ; their 

 tips reaching the vent. Dorsal fin higher and anal deeper than long. Reddish brown above, yellowish beneath, with the sides 

 silvery. A black streak along the flanks, above the lateral line. 



Syn. — Plargyrus bowmani, Grd. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. VIII, 1856, 196. 



We inscribe this species to the memory of one who, under difficulties of various sorts, during 

 a travel across the continent, thought it not of small importance to collect and preserve specimens 

 of natural history, which he forwarded to the Smithsonian Institution. 



