CYPRINOIDEjE. Ill 



which is destitute of cseca, and the air-bladder is divided into two by a contraction. 

 Cuvier distributes the fish of this genus into nine sub-genera, which are distin- 

 guished from one another by the extent of the dorsal and anal fins, the spinous or 

 articulated structure of their second rays, the position of the dorsal, the smallness 

 of the scales, the presence of barbels on the upper jaw or angles of the mouth, and 

 the size and form of the lips. The sub-genus Abramis is characterised as having 

 a short dorsal situated farther back than the ventrals, and a long anal, but neither 

 spinous rays nor barbels. To this sub-genus I have, for the present, referred the 

 Quesche of the Canadians, a cyprinoid fish, of which Lieutenant-Colonel C. H. 

 Smith has sent me a brief notice, accompanied by a drawing, which is copied in 

 the annexed wood-cut*. In profile, and in the relative size and position of the fins, 

 the Quesche bears a resemblance to the common Bream ; but one of the rays of its 

 dorsal and anal being spinous, it does not correspond in that respect with the cha- 

 racter assigned to Abramis by Cuvier; and the size of its anal fin excludes it from 

 the sub-genus which contains the true Carps. The very forward position of the 

 nostrils is unusual, and its toothed tongue is at variance with the definition of the 

 genus Cyprinus. Its specific name is intended as a compliment to its highly- 

 talented discoverer. 



" The specimens were taken in the Richelieu, at its confluence with the St. Lawrence, and 

 were all about nine or ten inches long ; in form much compressed, the back arched, the dor- 

 sal nearer the tail than head, the anal long and oblique, extending to near the caudal fin. 

 which is forked with pointed lobes, the eye very large and near the snout, the nostrils opening 

 on the tip of the latter, the under jaw longest, ihe tongue toothed, gill-covers round and 

 smooth, lateral line straight, containing sixty scales, scales commencing on the forehead above 

 the eyes, rather large, shining, and pellucid, reflecting a brilliant green on the back, but 

 having a silvery lustre on the sides and abdomen. I do not know in what division to place it, 

 for though it has ihe form of an Abramis it has a spinous ray in the dorsal and anal, and 

 teeth on the tongue. 



« Fins.— Br. 3. P. 12; V. 7; D. 1/12; A. 1/27; C. 18." (Smith in lit.) 



* The wood-cut is a correct copy of Colonel Smith's sketch except in the scales, which are too small and crowded on 

 the posterior part of the body. There ought to be only sixty scales on the lateral line, as mentioned in the text. 



