LAMPREYS AND PISHES OF INDIANA. 161 



In Indiana it has been taken by Prof. Evermann at Delphi, in the 

 Wabash (33, '88, 44). I have seen a specimen which was taken in the 

 South Fork of White River at Columbus. I have also seen numerous 

 specimens taken in nets in the Ohio River at Madison. Vigo County 

 (16, '93). Wabash River (3, II, 271). 



Not much is known concerning the habits of this fish. Considering 

 the small size of its caudal fin it must be a slow-swimming fish, which 

 spends the most of its life on the bottom. Having no teeth it must subsist 

 on small prey. I found the stomach of a specimen, taken at Madison, filled 

 with the larvae of some phryganeid insect and with grains of clean white 

 sand. This sand had probably formed the cases of the' larvae. The 

 shovel-nosed sturgeon is stated to spawn in May, ascending for this 

 purpose the smaller streams. Dr. Jordan says that it is used somewhat 

 for food, but does not seem to be highly valued. 



Genus ACIPENSER Linn. 



Head rather high, descending to the narrowed, nearly conical snout. 

 A transverse row of four barbels. A spiracle over each eye. Gill mem- 

 branes united with the isthmus. Gill-rakers present, lanceolate in form. 

 Caudal peduncle short, higher than wide ; not wholly covered with bony 

 plates, the rows not being confluent on the tail. Tail not terminating in 

 a filament. 



Species marine or fresh water. Our single species not descending to 

 the sea. 



AciPENSER RUBicuNDUS Le Sueur. 



Lake Sturgeon; Ohio Sturgeon; Black Sturgeon; Rock Sturgeon. 



Jordan and Gilbert, 1882, 8, 87; Jordan, 1882, 10, 766 ; Jordan, 1884, 

 12, 661, pi. 244; Ryder, 1888, 4, 234; Smith, 1892, 4, 185, pi. 21. 



Body elongate, terete, tapering towards snout and tail. Back arched. 

 Profile of head concave. Snout pointed (at least until a considerable 

 size is reached), at length becoming blunt; about as long as the rest of 

 the head, or shorter. Space between the rows of large plates occupied 

 by numerous small rough scales. Shields of young individuals with a 

 distinct keel, which ends in a hooked point. In old age the plates be- 

 come smooth and more or less imbedded in the epidermis. Dorsal rows 

 of plates fifteen or sixteen; lateral rows thirty to thirty-nine. Plates be- 

 tween the pectorals and ventrals nine or ten. Dorsal rays, forty ; anal 

 about twenty-seven. 



Attains a length of six to twelve feet, and a weight of 150 pounds or 

 more. Specimens nine feet in length have been reported. 



Inhabits the Great Lakes, the rivers of British America, and the large 

 rivers of the Mississippi Valley. 

 11 — Geology. 



