FISH OF ONTAKIO. 51 



short and thick. Pseudobranchiffi obsolete. Lateral line distinct, straight. 

 Belly not serrated. Dorsal fin rather posterior; anal elongate, low; 

 ventrals well developed ; caudal strongly forked ; no adipose fin. Stomach 

 horseshoe-shaped, without blind sac; one pyloric caecum. Vertebrae, about 

 sixty. Air bladder large. Xo oviducts, the eggs falling into the cavity 

 of the abdomen before exclusion. 



Genus HIODOX. (Moo\-eyks.) 

 The generic characters are included above. 



Subgenus HIODOX. 



(57) Mooneye. 



(Hiodon tergisus.) 



Body oblong, much compressed ; the belly with a slight but obtuse 

 keel in front of ventrals and a rather sharp edge behind them ; head short, 

 snout rounded ; eye large ; caudal deeply forked. 



D., 12 ; A., 28 to 32. 



Colour, back bright olive green ; sides and abdomen brilliantly silver \ . 

 Length, twelve inches or a little more. 



This species ranges from the St. Lawrence to Lake Superior and is 

 particularly abundant in Lake Erie. It is a very handsome and good 

 game fish, taking bait very readily, but its flesh is of no value as food. 



Subgenus AMPHIODOX. 



(58) Gold-eye. Northern Mooneye. 



(Hiodon alosoides.) 



Body deep, much compressed ; head short, eye moderate, the snout 

 very blunt ; mouth large and oblique, the maxilla reaching beyond the 

 middle of the eye. The ventral edge of the body carinated. Scales, 6-56-7. 

 D., 9; A., 32. 



Colour, bluish above, sides silvery with a golden lustre. Length, 

 about twelve inches. 



I have no positive record of the occurrence of this fish in Ontario 

 waters, but I have no doubt' that it will be found in the lakes and rivers 

 near the Manitoba boundary. In Manitoba it is very abundant and is the 

 best sporting fish found in the prairie rivers. It takes grasshoppers and 

 small frogs, or even pieces of fish very readily, and in early sum.mer rises 

 well to an artificial fly. Its flesh is particularly well flavoured and firm 

 and is much valued as food. 



