FAMILY CVPRINlDiE — LABEO. 193 



Length, 8-0. 



Fin rays, j). 12; P. 15; V. 9; A. S; C. 17. 



This fish occurs in llic markets of New- York in October and November. It is held in little 

 estimation for food. It can scarcely be confounded with the Cyprinus ohlongus of Mitchill, 

 to be presently described. 



THE BRILLIANT CHUBSUCKER. 



Labeo oei.onous. 



PLATE XI.II. V\G. 13C. 



The New-YorU Chub, Cyprinus obton^us. Mitchill, Report m part, etc. p. 23. 

 Chub of Kew-Yori; C. id. MiTCHiLL, Lit. and Phil. Soc. N. Y. Vol. 1, p. 459. 



(Viaractcrislics. Dorsal with thirteen rays. Back arched. Anal bilobate. Beautifully varied 

 with green and yellow, and with obscure transverse green bands. Length 

 six to twelve inches. 



Description. Body compressed ; dorsal outline arched ; the facial outline nearly continuous 

 with the curve of the back, anterior to the dorsal fin. Head somewhat depressed. Scales 

 large, with radiating and waved concentric striae ; they are rather crowded near the shoulder, 

 and ascend on the caudal fin. Lateral line indistinct. Snout blunt, and, in the dried state, 

 exhibits a tubercle above. Mouth inferior, corrugated, toothless, bilobate beneath. The dorsal 

 fin commences at a point equidistant from the end of the snout, and a line vertical to the end 

 of the anal. It is high, nearly equalling one-third of the greatest depth of the body ; the first 

 ray shortest, and adhering closely to the second, which is also simple ; the remainder branched. 

 The pectorals low down and rounded. Anal fin broad, bilobate, with very ramose rays ; its 

 anterior ray simple. Caudal broadly emarginate, with 2 - .3 accessory rays ; the lower lobe 

 largest. Air-bladder single, cylindrical. 



Color, of the upper part of the head, dark slate. Back greenish, fading into brilliant 

 lemon-yellow oh the sides. Four to si.x vertical obsolete bands, resplendent bluish green on 

 the back, and becoming effaced on the sides. Opercles yellow, with tints of green and pink. 

 Dorsal, caudal and anterior portion of the anal brown. Pectorals brownish ; red at the base. 

 Ventrals yellow. Second lobe of the anal dull red. 



Length, G'O - 12-0. 



Fin rays, D. 13; P. 13 ; V. 9 ; A. 8 ; C. 19 |. 



The specific name given to this species by Dr. Mitchill, appears singularly inappropriate. 

 Il is a fish of much beauty, but its brilliant hues soon disappear when taken from the water. 

 The accompanying figure was made from a remarkably vigorous and active individual, but il 

 scarcely does justice to its actual brilliancy. It is familiarly known under the name of Chub, 

 and Chuhmcker. As much confusion arises from applying the same jiopular names to Ame- 



Fauna — Part 4. 25 



