298 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



reaching- about to vertical of front edge of pupil, its width about one- 

 half its length; mandible short, reaching about to posterior edge of 

 eye; upper lip on a level with lower line of eye; lower jaw always 

 included and the blunt snout projecting. Distance from tip of snout to 

 nape 3^ to 4 in distance from snout to origin of dorsal fin. Gillrakers 

 not numerous, the number on the short arm of the arch varying from 7 

 to 11, on the long arm from 17 to 10; the total number, however, is 

 usually 27 to 29; they are short and rather stout, the longest being 

 contained from If to 2^ times in eye. Fins moderate, the longest rays 

 in pectoral, ventral, and dorsal about equaling length of head. Color, 

 satiny- white all over, back with a faint olive-green shade; fins all white, 

 except the caudal, which is usually slightly dark-edged. 



The principal variations in the characters of this well-known fish 

 are shown in the following table of detailed measurements: 



Table of comparative measuremenis of specimens of common whitefish (C. clupeiformis). 



Among the numerous specimens of whitefish which we have exam- 

 ined, we have one which is of unusual interest. This is specimen No. 

 213, obtained by Mr. Cloud. Rutter from the Droziski Fish Company, at 

 Dunkirk, 1ST. T., September 17, 1S94. It is a fine example, 19 inches in 

 total length. In external appearance it might very well pass for a true 

 whitefish, but careful measurements and examination of its gillrakers 

 show it to differ very materially from typical G. clupeiformis. It may 

 be described as follows: 



Head, 5; depth, 3£; eye, 5£; snout, 5; maxillary, 4; mandible, 2f. 

 D. 10; A. 11. Scales, 10-72-8. Gillrakers, 12+20 on one side and 

 13+24 on the other, the longest If in diameter of eye. Body stout 

 and deep, compressed; head larger than in the typical whitefish, the 

 mouth larger, maxillary longer and stouter, reaching to front of pupil; 

 mandible longer, reaching posterior edge of eye ; snout more pointed, 

 less decurved, the lower jaw slightly projecting. Distance from tip of 

 snout to nape 3£ in distance from snout to origin of dorsal fin. Caudal 



