FISHES OF LAKE SUPERIOR. 



Lota maculosa. 



The description which best coincides with our specimens is that of 

 Mr. Thompson of the Lota of Lake Champlain, and which we have 

 cited above. The wood-cut which he gives of it, though much 

 reduced, sustains this assertion. I will remark one diiference onlj, 

 which is, that the snout is more pointed, and the upper lip slopes more 

 over the lower jaw than in the specimens from Lake Superior. The 

 first dorsal fin seems also to be higher than the second. 



Dr. Richardson not having figured the species which he describes, 

 we have compared attentively his description with our specimens, 

 to which it applies in a general way, as also in several peculiarities ; 

 nevertheless, we would direct the attention of ichthyologists to the 

 following differences : The head is proportionally more elongated, 

 forming only the fifth part of the whole length ; the snout more pointed, 

 the upper jaw somewhat longer than the lower ; this latter is besides 

 considerably exceeded by the upper lip. The distance which separates 

 the centre of the orbit from the end of the snout is equivalent to three 

 lengths of the axis of the orbit itself ; this axis is contained four times 

 and a half on the space which extends from this same point of departure 

 to the posterior margin of the operculum, being contained seven times 

 and a half in the whole length of the head. The eyes themselves are 

 besides situated at the upper margin of the face, so as to be seen from 

 above. The labials are an inch and a half long, the intermaxillaries 

 one inch. These measures, compared with those which Dr. Richardson 

 gives, show us remarkable differences in the proportions of these 

 bones. The posterior extremity of the labials is besides curved 

 forwards. 



Among the fins I find the second dorsal, if not higher than the first, 

 at least as high. The anal is generally lower, though having the 

 same form, and like the second dorsal, rounded and somewhat higher 

 at its termination. The anal terminates a little before the dorsal. 

 The ventrals have seven rays ; the second is the longest. Formula : 



Br. 7 ; D. 11-76 ; A. 64 ; C. 45 ; V. 7 ; P. 19. 



The skin which envelopes the fins is thick, a character which 

 we find again in Lota compressa, which seems, however, to be a much 

 smaller species. 



