GILL] NOTEWORTHY EXTRA-EUROPEAN CYPRINIDS 313 
and Evermann remark, “ abundant in the basins of the Susquehanna, 
Hudson, Potomac, James, Roanoke and Kanawha, but not widely 
distributed.” Its ordinary length is about five or six inches. 
Another interesting type of very limited distribution is that desig- 
nated as the Plagopterinz or Medinz. These are small fishes dis- 
tinguished by the structure of the dorsal and ventral fins. The ven- 
Fic. 63.—Plagopterus argentissimus. After Cope. 
tral and the anterior dorsal rays are peculiarly modified. The dorsal 
has a first spine which is short and slender or rudimentary and this 
is followed by a large compressed one furrowed behind and closely 
pressed upon by a smaller third spine. The ventrals are still more 
modified from the ordinary cyprinoid types: the innermost rays are 
Fic. 64.—Lepidomeda vittata. After Cope. 
tied to the body by a membrane extending along most of the length 
of the ray and all are more or less compressed and inarticulate at 
base, but from their inner edges branched and articulated raylets 
divaricate, the whole reminding one of a flat chip whose edge has 
been partly slivered off. 
Fic. 65.—Lepidomeda vittata.. After Cope. 
