110 ICHTHYOLOGIA OHIENSIS 



been detected. This genus having become so ex- 

 tensive at an early period, and many other species 

 existing probably in North America and Siberia, I 

 have therefore divided it into five subgenera, employ- 

 ing principally the number of abdominal rays. All 

 these fishes are permanent in the Ohio its branches 

 and the ponds. Some however disappear in winter, 

 retreating into deep water or into the mud . Many bite 

 at the hook. They feed on univalve shells, small 

 fishes and spawn. They offer a tolerable food. 



i st. Subgenus. Moxostoma. 



Body oblong, compressed ; head compressed, eight 

 abdominal rays, dorsal fin commonly longitudinal, 

 tail commonly unequally forked. 



53d Species. Ohio Carp Sucker. Catostomus 

 anisurus. Catostome anisure. 



Diameter one fifth of the length : silvery, slightly 

 fulvescent above, fins red, the dorsal olivaceous fal- 

 cated with 17 rays, nearer to the head and reaching 

 the vent: lateral line curved upwards and flexuose 

 at the base.- snout gibbose: tail forked, upper part 

 longer. Anal fin falcate with eight rays. 



A large species common all over the Ohio and the 

 large streams, as far as Pittsburgh. Permanent and 

 sometimes taken in winter. It is called Carp every 

 where. Length from one to three feet. It is taken 

 with the hook, seine, and dart. Its flesh is pretty 

 good, but soft. The male fish has a red tail ; while 

 it is olivaceous in the female. Snout divided from 

 the head by a transverse hollow which makes it gib- 

 bose. Eyes black, iris silvery and golden above. 

 Sides often with copper shades. Scales large with 

 concentric stria. Pectoral fins large oval acute with 



