GENUS CATOSTOMUS. 39 



Forster. But as far as I am enabled to determine, the 

 whole four are specifically distinct. 



Since the publication of the above, I have been made 

 acquainted, by ocular testimony, with the existence of 

 eleven (supposed) new species, of similar characters, 

 which, with the above named four, will form a group 

 of fifteen species. The common characters of these fif- 

 teen species are sufficiently striking to distinguish them 

 from the rest of the Cyprinii; and would justify one, 

 either in subdividing the genus, or, which would be more 

 scientific, in creating a new genus, of which I here propose 

 the establishment, under the name of Catostomiis^ the ap- 

 pellation which Forster gave to the species he described, 

 and which was said to have been discovered at Hudson's 

 Bay. 



Genus CATOSTOMUS. 



Characters. 

 Back with a single fin, 

 GiU-membrane three-rayed. 

 Head and opercula smooth. 

 Jaws toothless, and retractile. 

 Mouth beneath the snout, lips plaited, lobed, 



or carunculated, suitable for sucking. 

 Throat with pectinated teeth. 

 The species which are here described are all possessed 

 of the following general characters: 

 . Body. T\\^body, in general, is elongated, and va- 

 ried in its form. 



Scales. The scales in almost all the species are marked 

 with radiated lines, and fimbriated on their edges; theii^ 

 form more or less rlv)mboidal, or roundish. 



