FISH OF ONTARIO. 29 



passing the mouth, which is rather large, with the hps papillose, the upper 

 with two or three rows of papillae. Scales small, crowded anteriorly, 

 larger on the sides and below ; dorsal fin situated in middle of length ; 

 ventral opposite dorsal; anal far back. 



Scales, 10-64 to 70-9. 



D., 12; A., 7; v., Q. . 



Colour, brownish or olivaceous above, white below ; the males in 

 spring showing a rosy flush. The young more brownish, very much 

 blotched and marked with blackish. A small race of this species .occurs 

 in streams which are blocked by dams or other impediments so as to pre- 

 vent the fish ever running down to the lakes. These fish never grow to 

 a greater length than abo'ut five or six inches, nor do they lose the dark 

 markings of the young; yet in that condition they undoubtedly spawn, for 

 the supply is always maintained. 



This is the most abundant of all the Suckers in Ontario waters, and 

 the most generally distributed. It is found in lakes, rivers and even in 

 land-locked marshes and ponds. It spawns in early spring soon after the 

 ice goes out, and then forces its way up the flooded streams and through 

 the swiftest rapids to reach the spawning beds. At this time vast numbers 

 are speared and netted by fish-hungry people in the rural districts, for at 

 this season its flesh is eatable, though coarse and full of bones. Com- 

 mercially it is of very little value, but as it affords food for Bass, Lake 

 Trout, and all other predaceous and voraceous fishes, it is of considerable 

 economic importance. 



Its food consists largely of soft-bodied insects and the smaller crus- 

 taceans, and it will readily take worm bait. 



The largest I have ever seen would weigh from three to four pounds, 

 but they were exceptional ; from one and a half to two being about the 

 average size of the spring run of Suckers. 



Subgenus HYPENTELIUM. 



(20) Hog Sucker. Stone Roller. 



(Catostomus nigricans.) 



Body subterete ; head flattened on top, the interorbital space concave 

 and the frontal bone short, broad and thick ; eye rather small ; mouth 

 large, lips well developed and strongly papillose ; fins all large, caudal 

 moderately forked ; lateral line fully developed, on median line of body. 

 Scales moderate, equal 7-52-7. 



D., II ; A., 7; v., 9. 



Colour brassy olive, the back with dark cross blotches which disap- 

 pear with age ; lower fins red. 



A large species, sometimes reaching' two feet in length. It is found 

 in Lake Erie and is recorded by Messrs. Evermann and Goldsborough 

 from Lake of the \^'oods. 



