1870.] ^''^ [Cope. 



is elongate, about one-fourth the length (exclusive of caudal fin), and is 

 plane above. The muzzle is not very prominent, nor the mouth smaller 

 than usual in the genus. The lower lip is quite difterent from that of 

 PL collapms in its narrow crescentic form. Tlie eye is similar in size to 

 that of that species. The dorsal line is elevated ; dorsal radii XIV — XV. 

 Color sea green above, white below ; fins white. Reaches four or five 

 pounds, and still greater weight. 



It may be that this fish is a form of the P. coUapsus, but the different 

 mouth and coloration seem to separate it. Its whole proportions differ . 

 from tliose of P. albus. I have only observed it in the Yadkin River, 

 where it is abundant, and used for food. 



69. Ptychostomus robxjstus. Cope. 



Species nova. 



With this species we commence the most numerously represented sec- 

 tion of the genus, in which the inferior Up is large and full, entirely covering 

 the space between the rami of the mandible, and having a transverse or 

 convex posterior margin. In this it resembles the true Catostomi, and 

 diverges from the type of Carpiodes, etc. 



In P. robustic-'i, we have a species, stout in all its proportions, and with 

 marked coloration ; with the gibbous or elevated dorsal outline of P. 

 eoregonus, it c0»nbines tlie short body of the Pt. coUapsus. The head is 

 short and deep, the miizzle not prominent, truncate in profile. Eye be- 

 tween four or five times in length of head. Dorsal fin short with straight 

 superior margin, radii XII, Scales as in P. coUapsus. 



Color smoky or clouded above, mingled with golden I'eflections ; sides 

 similar, below yellowish. Dorsal, caudal and anal fins dark crimson. Size 

 large. I examined one of six pounds weight. 



This species is distinguished by its form and color, from all the others 

 inhabiting the Yadkin. I did not see it in any other river area. It is 

 highly valued for the table by the people living near the river. With the 

 P. thalassinus and T. erythrurus yM','\t is taken in spring-nets. These 

 nets are attached by four corners and suspended to the extremity of a 

 lever whose fulcrum, as high as a man's head, is on the river bank. Bait 

 is thrown on it, and when the fishes congregate, the land end of the lever 

 being suddenly depressed, the suckers do not escape. If fishing were con- 

 fined to this mode, and the autumn weirs not made too tight, an abund- 

 ant supply of food from the rivers might be promised the State of North 

 Carolina for future time. But unfortunately, too many of the peojile 

 with the improvidence cliaracteristic of ignoi'ance, erect traps, for the pur- 

 pose of taking the fishes as they ascend the rivers in the spring to deposit 

 their spawn. Cart loads have thus often been caught at once, so that the 

 supply is at the present time reduced one half in many of the principal 

 rivers of the State. The repopulation of a river is a very difterent matter 

 from its preservation, and involves much time, attention and expense. It 

 would be far cheaper for the State of North Carolina to enact laws pre- 

 servative of this important product of her waters, similar to those in ibrce 



