CHONDROSTOMA GENET. 



199 



Chondrostoma genei (BONAPARTE). 



D. 11, A. 11, V. 9, P. 16, C. 19. Scales : lateral line 5256, trans. 9/7. 



In Italy this fish (Fig. 109) is commonly called I/asca, but in Lombardy it 

 has the provincial name Stric, and in the Tyrol is known to fishermen as Lau. 

 It is almost limited to Italy, though specimens are obtained from the River 

 Inn and Bavarian tributaries of the Danube. Dr. Giinther also records it 

 from the Rhone ; and it has been supposed to occur in the upper Rhine, 

 though its presence there is very doubtful. The length varies from five 

 and a half to about eight inches. The species is distinguished by its semi- 



Fig. 109. CHUNDHOSTOMA GENEI (BONAPARTE). 



circular mouth, by a dark band which extends over and along the lateral line, 

 and by the pharyngeal teeth, which are 5 5 and sometimes 6 5. The 

 height of the body is equal to the length of the head ; the fish is five and two- 

 thirds times as long as it is high. The diameter 

 of the eye is one-quarter of the length of the 

 head, but its relative size diminishes with age. 

 The eyes are separated by a frontal interspace of 

 one and a half orbital diameter, and they are the 

 same distance from the snout. The nose is 

 narrower and blunter than in the Nasling. As in 



other species, the semi-circular mouth (Fig. 110) descends sharply to the angles, 

 which do not reach back to the nares. There is a row of six mucus pores 

 along the lower jaw. Both dorsal and ventral profiles are flat arches. The 

 dorsal fin, which begins half way down the body, is truncate behind ; its 

 base is as long as the head. The anal fin has the base as long as the 



Fig. 110. HEAD OF CHONDROS- 

 TOMA GENEI SEEN FROM BELOW. 



