GENUS CATOSTOMUS. 91 



in the intestines of these fishes, river shells of the genera 

 Lymncea^ Bulimus, &c. which dwell on aquatic plants, and 

 on the rocks at the bottoms of rivers: these shells the 

 Catostomii are enabled to take with their lips, w^hich are 

 protruded forward by means of their jaws. 



It is necessary to remark, that in all the species, which 

 I have examined, there is a line which runs from the nape, 

 beneatli the eyes, and another along the head, above the 

 eyes, of small orifices, for the passage of mucous; which 

 lines are well defined after the fish is dead and desic- 

 cated, but not so conspicuous when recent: these lines 

 Forster improperly terms sutures. I will add, that some 

 species, in a dried state, have also a tubcrculated appear- 

 ance on the head, which tubercles are not discernible 

 when the animals are living. 



Observation. These fishes are not in general estima- 

 tion, the flesh of the major part being soft and insipid. 

 The C Cyprinus appears to be more valued than the rest; 

 it becomes very fat, and is common, at certain seasons, 

 in the markets of Philadelphia, Their habits, and the 

 mode of taking their food, preserve them from being taken 

 with the hook, in common, though it is said that some of 

 them may be thus caught by the allure of a peci liar bait; 

 those which are brought to market are taken in seines, but 

 they are not the object of a particular fisher} , Some of 

 the species are seen in market the whole year; and others 

 are only brought in September, November, and the be^ 

 ginning of spring. In the winter, the greater part retirc 

 to deep water. 



1. Catostomus Cyprinus, Body compressed, ellip- 

 tic, sharp at the base of the dorsal fin, which is very long* 

 ^d falciform on its anterior part, and low behind. 



