THE FHESII-WATEIl FISHES OF EUROPE. 



Leuciscus muticellus (BONAPARTE). 



D. 1011, A. 1112, P. 910. 

 Scales : lat. line 46 60, transverse 9 10/5 6. 



Many Continental writers have referred this species to a section of the 

 genus Leuciscus, which Heckel named Telestes, and distinguished by the 

 number of its pharyngeal teeth, which follow the formula 5'2 2 '4. But Von 

 Siebold found that in seventy-two individuals thirty-three had the teeth 5 '2 on 

 the left and 4'2 on the right, two individuals reversed this arrangement, and 

 thirty-seven had 5*2 on each side. Since this character is not associated with 



Fig. 95. LEUCISCUS XUTICELLUS (UONAPAHTE). 



any other of importance, and is so inconstant, we follow Dr. Giinther in 

 grouping Telestes in the genus Leuciscus. The most obvious character of the 

 species is the broad black band which extends from the arched snout over the 

 eye down the body to the tail (Fig. 95). 



The fish is from five to five and a half times as long as the head. The 

 height of the body exceeds the length of the head. The diameter of the 

 eye is one-fourth or one-fifth of the length of the head, 

 but the length of the nose and size of the eye vary with 

 age and sex. In the young fish they may be more than 

 one-third the length of the head. Hence the distance of 

 the eye from the snout varies, but is commonly about 

 equal to the orbital diameter. The width of the inter- 

 orbital space exceeds the diameter of the eye, and may 



be about one- third of the length of the head. The snout is rather arched, and 

 projects somewhat over the lower jaw. The cleft of the mouth is more 



Fig. 96. PHARYNGEAL 



TEETH OF LEUCISCUS 

 MUTICELLUS. 



