828 THE CYPRINOIDS OF CENTRAL NEW JERSEY. 
ther’s Catalogue of Fishes,” vol. vii, we find a specimen recorded, 
of S. rhotheus, from the Delaware River ; and considered the same 
as Semotilus argenteus Putnam. As the specimen is marked 
“ Adult,” it seems strange such an error should have occurred. 
3. Rhinichthys nasutus (Ayres). Both from the limited number 
of streams, in which it is found, and from the few individu i 
which occur, this is preëminently our rarest species. ; 
4. Rhinichthys atronasus (Mitchill). ‘‘Dace.” There are but- 
few streams, except in the northern portion of the state, where 
this pretty species may be found. Generally, we have met with | 
it, associated with the young Semotilus corporalis, and both it and 
the latter were remarkably successful in escaping from a scoop-nety 
by burrowing under stones, with all the ease of a Melanura in the 
soft mud; or else by leaping several inches from the water, and 
so passing over the rim of the net. i 
5. Stilbe Americana (Lind). “Roach.” DeKay has described 
as two generically distinct fishes,* under the names of “ Variegated” 
Bream” Abramis versicolor, and “New York Shiner” Stilbe chr 
soleucas, the cyprinoid designated above as Stilbe Americana. The : 
two varieties, which are not simply varieties in color, are noms 
conceded to be the same species, and it seems strange that DeKay 
should have considered these variations of more than , 
value, when now it is not accorded even that importance. On 
studying the descriptions and figures above referred to, and insti- 
tuting a comparison of these with a very large number of speci- 
mens of this fish, we have satisfied ourselves that there exists 
well marked tendency to vary in this fish, which verges nearh, 
that line, beyond which a variety becomes technically a species- 
DeKay’s figure, on plate 29, is an excellent representation of the 
common “roach,” as we find it in quiet waters and the t 
streams of this state. Color, which properly goes for but li l 
in the study of the specific differences of fishes, merits mom 
` tention in this case, from the fact that there is not any deoi 
deepening of, or variation in, the tints, in the spring Or REPY 
dress, as compared with that of autumn or winter. In the 
of DeKay’s description of Abramis versicolor, we have 2 i eat 
species described, which suggests at once a fish taken 10% | 
spring, when the cyprinoids, as a class, are in brightest colors ; 8% 
_ however is not the case with the Stilbe Americana, as when 
*Fishes of N. Y., p. 191, pl. 32, fig. 103; p. 204, pl. 29, fig. 91. 
