Cope.] , '^^^ [Jan. 7, 



the French Broad River, in Madison co., N. Ca. Eight specimens were 

 taken with some difficulty. Tlie beauty of the species is scarcely exceeded 

 by any of the preceding;* if not so elegant, a male in summer attire is 

 more gaudy. They inhabit shallow, swift waters with rocky bottoms, 

 and take refuge under stones with great rapidity, whence much patience 

 is required to draw them. 



The conic form of the head, small orbit and elevated dorsal region, char- 

 acterize this species among other points apart from coloration. 



POECILICHTHYS COEKULETJS, Storer. 



From the South Fork of the Cumberland, Tenn. , 



BoLEOSOMA, Dekay. 



Second dorsal larger than anal fin; vomerine teeth present; no series of 

 abdominal plates; two osseous anal radii; scales well developed; premax- 

 illary projectile, the labral dermal fold extended across the muzzle. 



This genus is identical with Poecilichthys, excepting in the completion 

 of the labral fold, which in the latter genus ceases on each side of the 

 muzzle. The simple anal, formerly assigned as its character, I find to be- 

 long to one or two species which are so nearly allied to the type as to 

 preclude their generic separation. 



Synopsis of Species: 



I. Anal radii, II. 



Caudal peduncle thick, not contracted; cheek scaleless; branchiostegal 

 membranes nearly distinct, spine rudimental; tail rounded; muzzle 

 blackish. B. efpulgens. 



Caudal peduncle contracted, dorsal line not elevated; cheek scaleless; 

 branchiostegal membranes well connected, spine developed; tail truncate; 

 crown and muzzle closely brown si^otted above. b. maculaticeps. 



II. Anal radii, I. 



Caudal peduncle contracted, dorsal line not elevated; cheek scaled; 

 branchiostegal rays well connected, spine strong; tail truncate; crown and 

 muzzle unicolor. b. olmstedi. 



Caudal peduncle contracted, dorsal line not elevated; cheek smooth; D. 

 2 with 11-12 radii only; branchiostegal membranes connected, tail trun- 

 cate; back and top of head closely speckled with black. B. bkevipikke. 

 III. Anal osseous ray wanting. 



Caudal peduncle contracted, dorsal line arched from the nape; cheek 

 ? naked; branchiostegal rays entirely distinct, spine well developed; tail 

 truncate. b. aesopus. 



The preceding definitions apply to considerable numbers of individuals 

 from remote localities; these may be species, for the range of variation is 

 very considerable, and such as is to be found nowhere else in a single 

 species. Should they be found to present intermediate forms in regions 

 not yet explored, they may be regarded as races, and as such, worthy of 

 note. 



BoLEOSOMA epfulgens, Girard. 



Arlina effltolgens, Girard, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci., Phil., 1859, 64. 



