1870.] ^ ^ "^ [Copo. 



figure given by Kirtlancl precludes the idea, for the P. cervinits is in ibrni 

 mucli like the Catostomus nigricans, and has a much less elevated dorsal 

 region than the Pt. mekmops. It differs also in the form of the dorsal fin, 

 which in that species displays XI XII D. radii instead of XIII. For the 

 present, therefore, I introduce the Pi. melanops by name only. 



Head of PL cervinus one-fifth the length, as broad as deep, plane above. 

 Muzzle truncate, low in profile, lips large, the superior i^endent. The 

 inferior lip thick, more produced tlian in any other species, and with a 

 median longitudinal fissure, the plica3 are more or less broken up. Body 

 sub-cylindric, scales large. Dorsal short, radii XII, margin straight. 

 Above yellowish brown, below yellow; fins not red. The dark of the 

 upper surfaces often forming broad transverse shades. After death the 

 colors above become a dark emerald green. This fish never exceeds a foot 

 in length, and rarely attains that size. It exists in great numbers in the 

 Catawba River, but I did not meet with it in the Yadkin or elsewhere. 

 It has a peculiar habit of leaping from the water, whence the fishermen 

 call it "jumping mullet." It is but little valued as food, though many 

 specimens are caught on the weirs. 



Also from the Roanoke River in North Carolina and Virginia, and the 

 James in Virginia. 



Giinther again confounds this species, so well known to the fishermen 

 of the Southern rivers, with the Pt. duquesnei. 



CARPIODES, Rafinesque. 



Agassiz, Am. J. Sci. Arts, XIV, 74, 1865. 



The species of this genus are extensively distributed in the fresh waters 

 of North America, east of the Rocky Mountains. I am not acquainted 

 with any from the Atlantic streams to the eastward of the Delaware, 

 though thoy may exist, while they are found in the Great Lakes and the 

 tributaries of the St. Lawrence. Agassiz defined this genus as above, 

 and indicated four species, one described by Lesueur, one by Rafinesque, 

 and two by himself. I have not seen specimens from the Eastern waters 

 of North Carolina, though they no doubt exist, while they are also abun- 

 dant in the Frensh Broad and other tributaries of the Tennessee. My 

 specimens of those from the latter being lost, I give an account of other 

 species known to me. I add five to the four ah-eady known. 



T. Anterior rays of the dorsal fin very mucli elevated and attenuated, 

 exceeding or equalling the length of its basis. 



a The muzzle very abruptly obtuse. 



Anterior suborbital much deeper than long ; anterior margin upper lip 

 below orbit. c. diffokjiis. 



Anterior suborbital similar ; upper lip before nares; eye 4.6 times in 

 head. c. cutisanserinus. 



Anterior suborbital sub-triangular, longer than deep; upper lips before 

 nares; eye 3.6 times in head. c. selene. 



aa. The muzzle conic, projecting. 



Size medium, back elevated. c. velifek. 



