1870,} 473 [Cope. 
is elongate, about one-fourth the length (exclusive of caudal fin), and is 
plane above. The muzzle is not very prominent, nor the mouth smaller 
than usual in the genus. The lower lip is quite different from that of 
Pt. collapsus in its narrow crescentic form. The eye is similar in size to 
that of that species. The dorsal line is elevated ; dorsal radii XIV-—-XV. 
Color sea green above, white below; fins white. Reaches four or five 
pounds, and still greater weight. 
It may be that this fish is a form of the P. collapsus, but the different 
mouth and coloration seem to separate it. Its whole proportions differ 
from those of P. albus. I have only observed it in the Yadkin River, 
where it is abundant, and used for food. 
69. PrycHostomus RoBuSsTUS, Cope. 
Species nova. 
With this species we commence the most numerously represented sec- 
tion of the genus, in which the inferior lip is large and full, entirely covering 
the space between the rami of the mandible, and having a transverse or 
convex posterior margin. In this it resembles the true Catostomi, and 
diverges from the type of Carpiodes, etc. 
In P. robustus, we have a species stout in all its proportions, and swith 
marked coloration; with the gibbous or elevated dorsal outline of P. 
coregonus, it combines the short body of the Pt. collapsus. The head is 
short and deep, the muzzle not prominent, truncate in profile. Eye be- 
tween four or five times in length of head. Dorsal fin short with straight 
superior margin, radii XII. Scales as in P. collapsus. 
Color smoky or clouded above, mingled with golden reflections ; sides 
similar, below yellowish. Dorsal, caudal and anal fins dark crimson. Size 
large. I examined one of six pounds weight. 
This species is distinguished by its form and color, from all the others 
inhabiting the Yadkin. I did not see it in any other river area. It is 
highly valued for the table by the people living near the river. With the 
P. thalassinus and T. erythrurus var, it is taken in spring-nets. These 
nets are attached by four corners and suspended to the extremity of a 
lever whose fulcrum, as high as a man’s head, is on the river bank. Bait 
is thrown on it, and when the fishes congregate, the land end of the lever 
being suddenly depressed, the suckers do not escape. If fishing were con- 
fined to this mode, and the autumn weirs not made too tight, an abund- 
ant supply of food from the rivers might be promised the State of North 
Carolina for future time. But unfortunately, too many of the people 
with the improvidence characteristic of ignorance, erect traps, for the pur- 
pose of taking the fishes as they ascend the rivers in the spring to deposit 
their spawn. Cart loads have thus often been caught at once, so that the 
supply is at the present time reduced one half in many of the principal 
rivers of the State. The repopulation of a river is a very different matter 
from its preservation, and involves much time, attention and expense. It 
would be far cheaper for the State of North Carolina to enact laws pre- 
gervative of this important product of her waters, similar to those in force 
