Jordan and Evermann. Fishes of North America. 1059 



Another form or species of this type from Nebraska may be recorded as 

 1446e. BOLEOSOMA NIGRUM MESJEUM (Cope). 



A stout, little compressed species, with large scales. Dorsals not in con- 

 tact. Eye 5 in head, more than once iu muzzle, anterior to its border j 

 head 4 in total length. Caudal very rounded, first scarcely as high as 

 second dorsal. Pectorals longer than ventrals, not reaching vent. Scales 

 4-40-5. D. IX-13; A. 9 ; V. I, 4. Outline of back rather elevated. 

 Beside the large size of the scales, the proportionately longer head and 4 

 soft ventral rays distinguish it from other species. The color in spirits is 

 pale brown, with four dorsal blotches, and a few groups of zigzags on the 

 sides. Second dorsal and caudal barred. (Cope.) We have the follow- 

 ing additional notes upon the type of this species : Head 3f in length 

 of body ; pectoral as long as head ; dorsal spines IX ; the ventral rays 

 appear to be really I, 4 ; anal spine weak. Cheeks naked ; gill membranes 

 separate. Eye not half as large as in specimens of nigrum of same size, 

 4 in head in adult ; snout more pointed than in other species of Boleo- 

 soma ; mouth larger. Lateral line complete. A true Boleosoma and appa- 

 rently a valid species. Type, a single specimen in poor condition in the 

 Museum of the Academy of Natural Sciences at Philadelphia. Platte 

 River, near Fort Kearney, Nebraska ; only the type known, (mesceus, 

 fitaato^, intermediate. ) 



Pcecilichlhys messeus,* COPE, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1864, 232, Platte River, near Fort 



Kearney, Nebraska. ^Coll. Dr. Hammond.) 

 Boleosoma mesceum, VAILLANT, Kecherches, 98, 1873. 



1447. BOLEOSOMA SITS AN JE (Jordan & Swain). 



Head 4 ; depth 6i. D. VIII-10 or 11 ; A, I, 8 ; scales 4-45 to 50-6. 

 General form and appearance of Boleosoma nigrum, the body slenderer, 

 the fins smaller, and the head entirely naked. Body very slender, fusi- 

 form, little compressed, the back not much elevated. Head short and 

 small. Mouth small, inferior, formed as in other species of the genus. 

 Snout short, bluntly decurved. Eye rather large, a little longer than 

 snout, the maxillary extending to below front of pupil. Whole head, 

 nape, breast, and middle line of belly naked. Scales rather large, the 

 tubes of the lateral line wanting on the last 3 or 4. Fins moderate, the 

 dorsals shorter and lower than usual in this genus, highest in the males. 

 Anal spine single, weak. Pectorals rather long, reaching well beyond 

 tips of ventrals, their length about equal to that of head. Color in life 

 essentially as in Boleosoma nigrum, the mules (in spring) with the head 

 and fins jet black, the body blackish olive, barred with black. Females 

 light olive, tessellated with darker, and with dusky spots along the lat- 

 eral line. A dark spot before eye and one on back before dorsal ; lower 

 fins pale ; both dorsals and caudal with darker bars. Length 2 inches. 

 Basin of the Upper Cumberland River, Kentucky ; locally abundant. A 

 well-marked species, without bright colors ; small and slender. (Named 



