FOREST, FISH AND CxAME COMMISSION. 33 1 



This species is known at once from all other minnows b)' the cavernous character 

 of the bones of the lower jaw. 



lyOnO'-nOSed DS.CC, — Rkinulitltys cataractcc (Cuvier & \^alenciennes). 



The genus RliinicJitliys contains some 6 or 7 species and subspecies of small 

 minnows, only 2 of which occur in the eastern United States. The genus is 

 characterized by the small, inferior mouth, the non-protractile upper jaw. the very 

 small scales, and the presence of a small barbel on the maxillary. 



The Long-nosed Dace, which was originally described from Niagara Falls Thence 

 the specific name cataracta:), ranges from Xew England west to Wisconsin and south 

 to Virginia. It inhabits clear, cold, and boisterous streams and rock pools, and is 

 frequent about waterfalls and cataracts. It reaches a length of 4 or 5 inches, and is 

 an active, hardy minnow, somber and unattractive in color, but easily caught and 

 living well in the live-box or on the hook. When on the hook it has a tendency to 

 bear down and conceal itself among the bottom vegetation, and is therefore not a 

 good minnow for still fishing. It is much better when used in trolling, but even 

 then its dull coloration keeps it from ranking high as a lure. Its chief recommenda- 

 tion is its great tenacity of life. 



Head 4; depth 5; eye 5; snout 2^2; D. 8 ; A. 7 ; scales 14-62 to 68-8; teeth 

 2,4-4,2. 



Body elongate, little compressed, and not elevated ; head long, the muzzle flat- 

 tened, narrowed, and extremely prominent, the mouth being entirely inferior and 

 horizontal ; eye about median ; isthmus wide : barbel evident ; pectoral fins enlarged 

 in males ; insertion of dorsal nearly median. 



Color, olivaceous above, paler below, with numerous dusky punctulations, the 

 back often almost black ; some of the scales usual!}- irregularly darker, producing a 

 mottled appearance ; no distinct black lateral band ; young with a dusky lateral 

 shade ; a blackish spot on opercle : males in spring with the lips, cheeks, and lower 

 fins crimson or orange. 



In the Rocky Mountain region this species is represented by a closely related 

 species, RliinichtJiys dulcis (Girard). 



;^laCl^-nOSed Dace, — Rhiuic/ithys atronasus (Mitchill). 



The Black-nosed Dace is found from Xew Brunswick to ^linnesota and south to 

 Virginia and Alabama. It frequents clear brooks and mountain streams and is 

 usually abundant in such wateis in Xew York. It reaches a length of about 3 



