372 



SYNOPSIS OF THE CYPRINID^E OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



merits of a half-fed hog, came nosing his way into the midst of the unsuspecting party. 

 They of course scattered in all directions, while he hastily explored the ground, and find- 

 ing no eggs, scuttled off with the wampum snake. The latter returned, and was success- 

 fully pursuing his fishing when we left. 



Dr. Girard described specimens of this species from the Potomac, as distinct from those 

 of the Ohio, without making comparisons ; I undertook to substantiate the differences, and 

 give the following as distinctive features of the Eastern and Western fishes : 



Head three and two-thirds to four times in length to base of tail. Scales ——32-6. for the Eastern. 



6—7 



Head four and one-third times; muzzle more acute. Scales — 38-40. for the Ohio type. 



These represent the tendencies of the individuals of these regions correctly, but the ex- 

 ceptions to the rule are not rare ; thus a Schuylkill specimen before me exhibits a head 

 four and one-third times in length and has an acute muzzle, scales of lateral line 38. 

 Seven rows of scales above the lateral lines in a Youghiogheny specimen include some 

 abnormally intercalated, but not a true series ; about half the Delaware specimens exhibit 

 six. Four rows below the lateral line has resulted from counting an elevated abdominal 

 series. In two Ohio specimens the anal radial formula is identical with that of the Eastern, 

 1.9, while in five the formula is 1.8. Thus this species exhibits an unusual range of 

 variation. 



HYPSILEPIS CORNUTTJS, Mitchell 



Hypsilepis, Baird, Storcr, Mem. Amcr. Acad.,v, 1855, 118. Plar- 

 gyrus cornulw, Girard, Proc. Phila. A. N. S., 1856, 196. Fig. Storer, 

 Trans. Amer. Acad. Arts and Sciences, 1855, t. xxi, fig. 3, 



Dorsal region convex and compressed to dorsal fin, with sixteen to nineteen scales in 

 the vertebral series ; head four and onc-quartcr times in length to base of caudal fin, and 

 four-fifths of greatest depth of body; vertex concave, muzzle obtuse rounded; mouth terminal, end of maxillary 

 terminating opposite posterior nostril. From end muzzle to dorsal (first ray) seven-eighths from latter to origin 

 of caudal. Ventrals origin exactly under first dorsal, broadly truncate, not quite attaining vent. Base of anal 

 nearly equal its anterior ray, outline slightly concave. Base of dorsal two-thirds height anteriorly. Pectoral an- 

 terior rays shortened, medial not quite reaching the ventral. Operculum one-third higher than long. Eye, diam- 

 eter one-fourth length of head, and once below its rim to upper preopercular ridge. Frontal width one-half length 

 head above. Scales 8—41—3, about twenty-three on the dorsal line in front of dorsal fin. Radial formula 

 D 1. 8;C. 4. 19.5. A. 1.9. V. 8 ; P. 1.15. 



Coloration of an adult male : dorsal region as far down as the fourth row of scales dark impure blue, divided by 

 an indistinct band of yellowish olive, one and a half scales wide, which follows the outline of the back ; bordering the 



