SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 



87 



The typical form of this species is found from Maine to Wyoming and from 

 Canada to Missouri. Some North Carolina specimens are referable to the variety 

 thoreauianus of Jordan, which ranges from North Carolina to Alabama and is 

 distinguished by a rather stouter body, larger scales, less distinct spot on dor- 

 sal fin, etc.; other examples are intermediate. The fish is widely distributed 

 in the state, being known from the Roanoke to the Cape Fear, chiefly in brooks. 

 It is the largest of the native cyprinoids in the state, and is often the largest 

 fish in a creek or brook; the. usual length is under a foot, but it attains a con- 

 siderably larger size, and specimens have been taken weighing 4 pounds. It is 

 a fair food fish, although very bony, and is often caught with hook and line. 

 It feeds on worms, moUusks, small fish, and other animal food. 



Genus LEUCISCUS Cuvier. Dace. 



An old-world genus with numerous American representatives, small fresh- 

 water species found in all parts of the country. Form oblong, compressed or 

 rounded; mouth large, terminal; teeth 2,5 — 4,2, 1,5 — 4,2, or 1,4 — 4,1, hooked, 

 with or without a narrow grinding surface; lateral line decurved, more or less 

 complete; scales of small or medium size; dorsal fin placed posteriorly; anal 

 short or long; intestinal canal short; color varying, males often brilliant. One 

 species found in North Carolina. {Leuciscus, ancient name for the European - 

 dace, from leucus, white.) 



63. LEUCISCUS VANDOISULUS Cuvier & Valenciennes. 



Dace. 



Leuciscus vandoisulus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Histoire NatureUe dea Poissons, xvii, 317, 1844; South Carolina. 



Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 239. 

 Clinostomus carolinus Girard, Proceedings Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1856, 212; Yadkin 



River, Salem, N. C. 

 Clinostomus afftnis, Cope, 18706, 494; Catawba and Yadkin rivers. 

 Squalius vandoisulus, Jordan, 1889Z), 138; Bucks Creek, tributary of Catawba River. 



Diagnosis. — Body elongate, deep, compressed, depth contained 4.33 times in length; 

 head large, more than ;25 total length; mouth large, oblique, lower jaw projecting, maxillary 

 extending as far back as pupU; eye contained 3.5 times in length of head; teeth 2,5 — 5,2 or 

 2,5 — 4,2; lateral line complete; scales 48 to 55 in lateral series; dorsal rays 9, anal rays 8. 

 Color: bluish green above, some scales darker; a dark lateral baud, above which is a pale 

 streak; males in spring with body bright rose-red. Length, 5 inches, (vandoisulus, from 

 vandoise, French name for a dace.) 



Ranges from Maryland to Georgia in clear brooks on both sides of the Alle- 

 ghany Mountains. It is abundant in the Catawba (Bucks Creek at Pleasant 

 Garden), and is accredited by Cope to the Yadkin as well as the Catawba. 

 Recently (1904) the species has been recorded from Middle Creek, a tribu- 

 tary of the Little Tennessee River in Macon County, North Carolina, examples 

 having been forwarded therefrom to the Bureau of Fisheries by Mr. D. P. Cabe, 

 of Otto. 



