186 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



taining the length of the eye about three and one half times 

 and equaling a little more than one fifth of the total without 

 caudal. The snout is very blunt, the mouth large and oblique,' 

 the maxilla reaching beyond the middle of the eye. There is 

 a well developed keel along the entire length of the belly. D. 9 ; 

 A. 32. Scales 6-56-7. 



The general color is bluish silvery on the sides with golden 

 reflections. 



The northern mooneye is found from the Ohio river through- 

 out the Great lakes region to the Saskatchewan. It is very com 

 mon in Manitoba and other parts of British America. In Penn- 

 sylvania it is limited to the western region. 



De Kay must have had the northern mooneye for study, 

 though his description seems to apply to another species. The 

 figure of his Hyodon clodalis represents a fish with a 

 short dorsal fin, quite unlike his account in the text. 



The northern mooneye is very readily distinguished from the 

 other species of the genus by its short dorsal fin, which con- 

 tains only nine rays, and by its carinated belly. It grows to 

 the length of 1 foot. The flesh is not greatly esteemed as a rule, 

 but the fish is beautiful and has excellent game qualities. 



Eichardson says the fish inhabits lakes which communicate 

 with the Saskatchewan, in the 53d and 54th parallels of lati- 

 tude, but does not approach nearer to Hudson bay than Lake 

 Winnipeg. This we know to be a mistake. He says further 

 that it is taken during the summer months only, and in small 

 numbers, in gill nets set for other fish. It bites eagerly at an 

 artificial fly or worm. Its flesh is white, resembling that of the 

 perch in flavor, and excelling it in richness. 



Family 



Gizzard Shads 



Genus IX>ROSOMA Rafinesque 



The genus Dorosoma has a herringlike body, with a 

 short and obtuse snout. The body is much compressed and is 

 covered with moderately large, thin, cycloid scales. The head 

 is scaleless, short and small; the eye large and provided with 



