368 



SYNOPSIS OF THE CYPRINIM! OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



In coloration this pretty fish rather resembles a Hybopsis, or more the Gobio fluviatilis. 

 It is generally silvery, with a broad plumbeous blue band following the lateral line, which 

 is irregularly deeper and paler in some smaller specimens. A blackish band from end 



muzzle to orbit. 



This is one of the species of "minnows" which are used by the fishermen as bait for 

 Bass (Micropterus) and Catfish. It is a river species and has not the vivacity of the 

 Argyrei. I have seen it from the Monongahela and Youghiogheny Rivers ; it occurs 

 also in the Mahoning, according to Prof. Kirtland. It is not found in any of the other 

 water basins of the State. 



ARGYREUS, HecM. 



Fische Syricns, 1842, 50, Girard, Proc. Acad. N. S., Phila., 185(5, 185. BhvnicJithys, 

 A<'assiz, Amer. Journ. Sci. Arts, 1854, 357. 



This genus only differs from the last in the non-projectility of the prcmaxillary appa- 

 ratus, and the non-continuance of the postmaxillary dermal fold over the muzzle. Alimen- 

 tary canal rather shorter than length of head and body. So far as known the species are 

 of smaller size than the preceding, and have smaller scales ; they are adorned with brilliant 

 hues during the spring and summer, to a far greater extent. In Europe, the Gobio uran- 

 oscopus, Agass., has a physiognomy slightly like some of the Argyrei. 



Mouth entirely inferior ; teeth 2.4— 4.2 ; scales smaller, concentric, lines stronger; isthmus wide; pectoral 

 fins inferior, horizontal, not capable of application vertically to the sides. Head 4} times in total length. Eye 

 one-fifth length of head ; muzzle elongate, narrowed ; twelve rows oF scales on caudal peduncle. No black lateral 



, , NASUTUS. 



band. 



Head four times in total length ; muzzle broad, short ; eye less than four times in head's length ; 8—10 rows 

 of scales on caudal peduncle; a black lateral band; scales 1. 1. ATBONASUS. 



ARGYREUS ATRONASUS, Mitchell 



Beckel Fische Syriens, 1842, Girard, Proc. A. N. S., Phila., 1856. Rhinichthya atrona- 

 sus, Agassiz, Am. Journ. Sci. Arts, 1854. 



The smaller of our species. As in the; nasutus, there are about twenty longitudinal rows 

 of scales between the dorsal and ventral fins. In summer and autumn it is brownish olive 

 above a black band which extends round the nose to the origin of the caudal fin on each 

 side, and satin-white below it. In spring the latter region becomes vermilion red, and 

 the lateral band assumes an orange; hue ; the; pectoral and ventral fins become similar to 

 the abdomen, and the rays of the former are greatly thickened. The brilliant coloring 



