I know not on what authority it is said to inhabit the sea. It is probably assumed to 

 be found there because the Ron us Uneatus is. So far as we know, it is confined to the 

 great fresh-water lakes and the western rivers. 



As Filippi has already led one naturalist into error regarding the proportions of 

 the species, it seems necessary to state that he must have reckoned the length only 

 from the snout to the base of the caudal fin, and not to its margin. When so meas- 

 ured, the height is a third of the length, but its height in proportion to the total length 

 is only as three to ten. 



Specimens of the Roccus clirysops are in the museum of the Smithsonian Institu- 

 tion, from Southern Illinois, obtained by Mr. Robert Kennicott, and from the Root 

 River, at Racine, Wis., Toronto, &c, obtained by Professor Baird. It appears to be 

 generally distributed in the rivers of the West. 



The specimens from the hydrographieal basins of the Ohio River and of the Great 

 Lakes cannot be specifically distinguished from each other ; nor can I perceive the 

 difference signalized by Dr. Kirtland in the caudal tins of Ohio and Lake Erie 

 specimens. 



In extreme youth, this species appears to be crossed by obscure vertical bands. 

 At a later epoch, these bands are lost, and afterward the longitudinal lines are 

 assumed. 



The best descriptions of this species have been published by Professor Filippi 

 under the name L. Osculntii, and by the late Dr. De Kay under that of L. alhhhis. 

 The best figure is that given by Dr.* Kirtland in the Journal of the Boston Society of 

 Natural History; but the dorsals are erroneously represented as being connected by a 

 low membrane. In the text, they are correctly described as being " distinct". 



It is with much hesitation that I have adopted the specific name of Ratinexjiie. 

 It would have been better for the progress of the science if all the works of that 

 unfortunate naturalist had been ignored. 



