Native Fishes of Iowa. 169 



19. IcTiOBus CYPRiNELLA. — Cuv. and Val. 



This species is known as the common Buffalo fish, or Big 

 mouthed Buffalo. It reaches a weight of 20 to 40 pounds. 

 It is seldom taken in the Mississippi, but is abundant in the 

 bayous. A food fish of moderate value. Mississippi valley. 



nn Mouth smaller and sub-inferior, usually overhung by the blunt snout. 

 The upper jaw protractile downward. 



Lower pharyngeal bones strong. Species dusky, not silvery. 



p Lips rather thin; body not much elevated, nearly elliptical in form. 



20. IcTiOBUS URUS. — Agassiz. 



The Razor-backed Buffalo is not as abundant as the 

 former. Found in the river and also in bayous. It reaches 

 nearly the size of the former, and is of about the same value 

 for food. Mississippi valley. 

 // Lips very thick, sucker-like. Body more elevated. 



21. IcTioBus BUB ALUS. — Rofinesque. 



This species is known as the Small-mouthed Buffalo. It is 

 more abundant in the river channels, and is more abundant in 

 the market than other Buffalo fishes. It is easily distinguished 

 from the former two species by its very thick lips Missis- 

 sippi valley. 



00 Lower pharyngeals thin and weak. Color pale and silvery. 



22. IcTiOBUS VELiFER. — Rafincsquc. 



This species is known by the name of Quill-back and Carp- 

 sucker. It is by far the most abundant of the Buffalo fishes 

 in this state. I have found it in abundance in the Des Moines, 

 Skunk, Iowa and Cedar rivers, while the others are, in the 

 collections examined by me, only from the Mississippi river 

 and Squaw creek. Of little value for food because of small 

 size and the numerous small boneSi Mississippi valley. 



7nm Body elongate, its length about 4>^ times its width. Snout long, pointed. 

 Mouth small. Dorsal rays 30. 



