' 





SYNOPSIS OF THE CYPRINID/K OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



377 



which is preserved in the museum of my friend Vincent Barnard, of Kennett Square. 

 This is the best local collection of the vertebrata of our section witli which I am acquainted. 

 Few regions can boast of more numerous and beautiful streams than Southeastern Penn- 

 sylvania, there being no less than nine, omitting several of minor size, between the Schuyl- 

 kill and Susquehanna Rivers. The wanderer on their banks traverses alternately the 

 forests of numerous species of Quercus, Carya, and Fraxinus, with tangled underbrush of 

 Kalmia and Smilax, the cultivated fields, and the jungles of Asclepias, Eupatorium, Cassia, 

 and Rudbeckia, gorgeous with red and gold. 



The Susquehanna tributaries yield the greater variety of species and number of indi- 

 viduals to the ichthyologist. In the rocky beds of the Octorara and Elk, gaudy shoals 

 of this active species and the Ilypsilepis contrast with the dusky Exoglossum and the 

 solitary stone catfish (Noturus), which love concealment, and are only seen when disturbed, 

 darting from stone to stone. These streams have not been so obstructed by dams as most 

 others, where the erection of vertical breasts near their mouths lias almost completely de- 

 prived them of their anadromous species of fish. The destruction of the shad fishery in 

 the Susquehanna was a result of this shortsighted practice; as the interest was large, the 

 legislature finally interfered, and the dam was removed, and similar obstructions in the 

 tributaries of this river directed to be taken away. Reckless destruction of fish in the 

 tributaries of the Alleghany lias resulted in a strict enforcement of the game laws, but 

 neither protection has yet been actively applied to the Delaware tributaries. 



The building of oblique breasts to the dams would enable numerous species to pass up 

 which arc now prevented, and the harmony of nature would remain undisturbed, greater 

 purity of the water insured, and no mean source of food preserved and developed. 



CLINOSTOMUS MARGARITA, Cope. 



The muzzle obtuse, mouth oblique, scarcely attaining the lino of the anterior margin of the 

 Orbit. Head four times in body to base of caudal fin, equal the greatest depth. Eye throe- 

 fourths its diameter from end of muzzle, and equal postero-inferior margin of operculum. 

 Scales less exposed on anterior than posterior regions, and covering the inferior regions; 

 11 — 58 — 8-9. The lateral line is discontinued 5-8 scales anterior to the caudal fin. Pharyn- 

 geal teeth slender 2.5 — 4.2. Dorsal originating behind origin of ventrals, 1.8. C. 19. A. 

 1.8. V. 8, extending three-fourths from their origin to the anus; P. 17, reaching two-thirds way to ventrals. 



Prom origin caudal to that of first dorsal ray 12 1. ; from latter to opposite posterior margin orbit 9.5 1. • from 

 same to end muzzle, 18.5 1.; base first anal ray to base of caudal, 8 1.; end muzzle to base ventrals, 12 I.k total 

 length 2 in, G lin. 



Coloration, above light olive, without dorsal line, but darker shade at origin dorsal fin, with a minute slaty dust- 

 ing, and a few lateral speckles of the same. Sides to half way above the lateral line with opercula. plumbeous 

 silvery; below bright crimson (in midsummer) to lower margins of pectoral and ventral fins; median line below 

 straw-colored. Muzzle blackish ; fins unspotted. 

 vol. xur. — 48 



