and its Tributaries. 331 
on the upper jaw, four on the lower, and one at each angle 
of the mouth. These lateral cirrhi as long as the head. Eyes 
small. Iris dusky, with a narrow golden circle next the pupil. 
Body gibbous before the dorsal fin, rounded and fleshy on 
the back, somewhat compressed laterally, especially behind the 
ventral fin. Abdomen full, and pendulous behind the pecto- 
ral fins. Lateral line curves above the tip of the operculum. 
Dorsal fin commences behind the pectoral. 
Adipose fin approximate nearly to the tail. 
Caudal fin truncate. 
Anal fin attains to the base of the caudal, with its tip ex- 
tends beyond the adipose. 
Ventral fins ovate and horizontal, extending at their ex- 
tremities to the anal. 
Pectoral fins serrated on the posterior edge of the spinous 
ray, situated beneath the extremity of the operculum. 
olor. Head, back, and superior portions of the sides, 
fuliginous ; coppery beneath the throat ; whitish on the abdo- 
men. Fins livid, and cirrhi dusky at their tips. 
Length from six to twelve inches. ` 
abitat. Most of the ponds, lakes and still waters in the 
United States, 
D. 1—6; C. 19; A. 21; V. 8; P. 1— 7 rays. 
Observations. I am indebted to my brother, George Kirt- 
land, for the drawing of the species. It was taken from a 
specimen obtained in the Mahoning river. Griffith, the trans- 
lator of Cuvier’s Régne Animal, in speaking of fish, asserts 
that “the inhabitant of the waters knows no attachment, has 
re language, no affection ; feelings of conjugality and paternity 
~'e Dot acknowledged by him.” Had that author seen, as I have 
done, 9n several occasions, the old of this species of fish, lead- 
ng about her brood of dusky fry with the most maternal care, 
e defending them, with the greatest vigilance and activity, 
“gainst the approach of a frog, tortoise, or any voracious fish, 
he would have qualified his assertion. 
A person desirous of witnessing this fact may have repeated 
