392 Series Ostariophysi 
bear a considerable resemblance to the carp. They have the 
dorsal fin many-rayed and the scales large and coarse. They 
Fig. 304.—Buffalo-fish, Ictiobus cyprinella (Cuv. & Val.). Normal, Ill. 
abound in the large rivers and lakes between the Rocky Mountains 
and the Alleghanies, one species being found in Central America 
and a species of a closely related genus (Myxocyprinus asiaticus) 
Fic. 805.—Carp-sucker, Carpiodes cyprinus (Le Sueur). Havre de Grace. 
being reported from eastern Asia. They rarely ascend the 
smaller rivers except for the purpose of spawning. Although 
so abundant in the Mississippi Valley as to be of importance 
commerically, they are very inferior as food-fishes, being coarse 
and bony. The genus Cycleptus contains the black-horse, or 
Missouri sucker, a peculiar species with a small head, elongate 
