164 Natural History Bulletin. 



Fatnily j. ACIPENSERIDiE.— The Sturgeons. 



b Spiracles (openings on tiie head to the gill openings) not present. Snout 

 broad, somewhat depressed. Tail depressed and completely mailed. 

 Rays about 25. 



Genus ^. ScAPHiRHYNCHUs. — Heckel. 



4. SCAPHIRHYNCHUS PLATYRHYNCHUS. RafinCSqUC. Shovcl- 



nosed Sturgeon. 



Not very abundant in this state, and found only in the 

 larger streams. It attains a length of 5 feet, but is worthless 

 as a food fish. 



bb Spiracles present, snout subconic. Tail not depressed nor mailed. Dorsal 

 rays about 42. Anal, 25. 



Genus 5. Acipenser i^Artedi). — L. 



5. Acipenser rubicundus. — LeSueiir. — Lake Sturgeon. 



Rock Sturgeon. 



Not very abundant, taken in larger numbers in the Missis- 

 sippi in the spring. It reaches a length of 6 feet, and is an 

 important food fish. 



/^r~ir^ Body covered with rhombic enameled scales. Jaws long, the upper 

 projecting. Vertebrie with ball and socket joint as in reptiles. Air 

 bladder cellular. Vertical fins with round dark spots. 



Family 4. LEPIDOSTIIDiE.— The Gar-pikes. 



Genus 6. Lepidosteus. — Lacefede. 



c Jaws long and slender, rriore than twice the length of the rest of the head. 

 Length of the snout, 15 to 20 times its least width. 



6. Lepidosteus osseus. — L. — Common Gar-pike. Long- 



nosed Gar. Bill-fish. 



Very common in all the larger streams in the state, especi- 

 ally in the spring. Length reaching 5 feet; of no value as 

 food for man or for other fishes. Found from the Carolinas 

 to the Great Lakes and Mexico. 



cc Jaw shorter and broader, its length less than twice the length of the rest of 

 the head. Its length 5 to 6 times its least width. 



