350 LAKE SUPERIOR. 



present about the same general form, but their height surpasses 

 their length. Generally more uniform on the different regions, they 

 are, however, larger on the middle of the trunk, those of the middle 

 line being in other respects smaller than the adjacent ones, as is 

 the case for the most of the species. Those of the abdomen affect 

 not a linear disposition, independent from the whole, but all appear 

 as uniformly imbricated. Beneath the belly and the tail they elon- 

 gate themselves to the form of an ellipsis with tortuous outlines. 

 The lateral line, slightly arched, follows the outlines of the back, 

 to which it is nearer than to the belly. The fins on the whole are 

 much more developed than in the 0. sajjidissimus ; their general 

 form and their relative position are sensibly the same. We remark, 

 however, that the height of the dorsal is greater in proportion to its 

 length, and its posterior margin is straighter. The adipose fin, 

 equally covered with small scales on its basis, is opposite the termina- 

 tion of the anal. This latter is triangular, as long as it is high, but 

 less raised than the dorsal. The caudal is deeply furcated. The 

 ventrals, broad and oblong, are rounded on their terminal margin, 

 and contain the strongest rays. The pectorals are elliptical, and 

 longer and broader than in the preceding species, and from the 

 stouter form of the body their terminal extremity is nearer to the 

 ventrals. 



Br. 8 ; D. III., 11 ; A, II. 11 ; C. 7, 1., 9, 8, I., 7 ; V., 11 ; P. 

 15. 



Whoever doubts the validity of this species should only cast a 

 glance on two series of young individuals belonging to both species. 

 We have noted above the peculiar traits of the C. sapidissimus, and 

 it will be remembered that we have insisted upon their slender and 

 elongated form. The most striking contrast exists when we compare 

 them with the short, high and stout form of this species. 



When this fish has attained the size of seven inches, the height, 

 ■which exceeds the length of the head, is contained four times in the 

 length of the body, the caudal excluded. The sides are much com- 

 pressed ; the thickness is only one-third of the height. The structure 

 of the head, the form and the development of the fins, are in perfect 

 conformity with the adult. We observe that the rostrum, which is 

 truncated, scarcely exceeds the lower jaw. The form of the buccal 



