1870.] 479 
(Cope. 
figure given by Kirtland precludes the idea, for the P. cervinus is in form 
much like the Catostomus nigricans, and has a much less elevated dorsal 
region than the Pt. melanops. It differs also in the form of the dorsal fin, 
which in that species displays XI XII D. radii instead of XIII. For the 
present, therefore, I introduce the Pt.melanops by name only. ; 
Head of Pt. cervinus one-fifth the length, as broad as deep, plane above. 
Muzzle truncate, low in profile, lips large, the superior pendant. The 
inferior lip thick, more produced than in any other species, and with a 
median longitudinal fissure, the plicee are more or less broken up. Body 
sub-cylindric, scales large. Dorsal short, radii XII, margin straight. 
Above yellowish brown, below yellow; fins not red. The dark of the 
upper surfaces often forms broad transverse shades. After death the 
colors above become a dark emerald green. This fish never exeeeds a foot 
in length, and rarely attains that size. It exists in great numbers in the 
Catawba River, but I did not meet with it in the Yadkin or elsewhere. 
It has a peculiar habit of leaping from the water, whence the fishermen 
call it ‘‘jumping mullet.’’ It is but little valued as food, though many 
specimens are caught on the weirs. 
Also from the Roanoke River in North Carolina and Virginia, and the 
James in Virginia. 
Ginther again confounds this species, so well known to the fishermen 
of the Southern rivers, with the Pt. duquesnei. 
CARPIODES, Rafinesque. 
Agassiz, Am. J. Sci. Arts, XIV, 74, 1865. 
The species of this genus are extensively distributed in the fresh waters 
of North America, east of the Rocky Mountains. I am not acquainted 
with any from the Atlantic streams to the eastward of the Delaware, 
though they may exist, while they are found in the Great Lakes and the 
tributaries of the St. Lawrence. Agassiz defined this genus as above, 
and indicated four species, one described by Lesueur, one by Rafinesque, 
and two by himself. “I have not seen specimens from the Eastern waters 
of North Carolina, though they no doubt exist, while they are also abun- 
dant in the French Broad and other tributaries of the Tennessee. My 
specimens of those from the latter being lost, I give an account of other 
species known to me. I add five to the four already known. 
I. Anterior rays of the dorsal fin very much elevated and attenuated, 
excceding or equaling the length of its basis. 
a The muzzle very abruptly obtuse. 
Anterior suborbital much deeper than long ; anterior margin upper lip 
below orbit. Cc. DIFFORMIS. 
Anterior suborbital similar; upper lip before nares; eye 4.6 times in 
head. C. CUTISANSERINUS. 
Anterior suborbital sub-triangular, longer than deep ; upper lips before 
nares, eye 3.6 times in head. C. SELENE. 
ag The muzzle conic, projecting. 
Size medium, back elevated. Cc. VELIFER, 
