206 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 



Length, 3-0. Depth, 0-5. 



Fin rays. D. 8 ; P. 15 ; V. 8 ; A. 8 ; C. 19 f 



The dimensions given above, are from one of the largest size. It inhabits clear fresh-water 

 streams and rivulets, and is found abundantly in this and the adjoining States. 



THE SPAWN-EATER. 



Leucisccs budsonius. 

 plate xxxiv. fio. 109. — (state collection. cab. lycexjm.) 



Clupea hudtonia. Clinton, Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist. N. Y. Vol. 1, p. 49, pi. 2, fig. 2. 



Characteristics. A broad longitudinal silvery band along the sides, and a black spot on the 

 base of the caudal fin. Length three to six inches. 



Description. Body subcompressed, cylindrical ; dorsal outline somewhat arched near the 

 dorsal fin. Abdomen convex. Scales very deciduous, vertically oblong ; margins entire. 

 Lateral line straight. Head small, flattened above. From above the nostrils, the facial hne 

 descends rather abruptly, producing a blunted nose. Eyes large ; the upper margin of the 

 orbits near the facial outline; orbits 0"3 in diameter. Nostrils double, contiguous; the pos- 

 terior largest, sublunate ; and both vertical, in a line with the upper margin of the orbits. 

 Opercles obtusely rounded, with a narrow membrane on its margin ; near the upper angle, a 

 flat curved and pointed scale. Length of the head to that of the body and tail, as one to six 

 nearly. Branchial aperture large. Jaws toothless ; the lower shortest. Branchial arches 

 with short pectinations. 



The dorsal fin trapezoidal, placed immediately above the ventrals, composed of one long 

 simple and seven successively shorter branched rays. Pectorals long and pointed, containing 

 fifteen rays. Ventrals with one simple and seven branched rays ; their tips nearly reaching 

 the anal. Anal higher than long. Caudal forked ; the lobes equal. 



Color. Opercles silvery. A lustrous silvery band O'l broad, extends from the upper 

 angle of the opercle to the base of the tail, where there is a deep roundish black spot. Pupils 

 black ; irides silvery. 



Length, 4' 5; of the head, 0*8. 



Fin rays, D. 8 ; P. 15 ; V. 8 ; C. 19 |. 



This species was originally noticed by Mr. L Cozzens, in a catalogue which we drew up 

 together many years ago. In that list, he called it Stolephorus hudsonius, but the descrip- 

 tion remained in manuscript. The first published description of this beautiful fish was by a 

 former Governor of this State, De Witt Clinton, in the Annals of the Lyceum above re- 

 ferred to. It is called Spawn-eater, from an idea entertained by fishermen that it lives 

 exclusively on the spawn of other fishes. It is not uncommon in the Hudson river and its 

 tributaries. 



