ISO REPORT OF NEW JERSEY STATE MUSEUM. 



Rhiriichthys cataractae (Valenciennes). 

 Long Nosed Dace. Dace. 



Head 2,Vs ', depth 4%; D. 11, 7, i; A. 11, 6, i; scales 60 in 

 lateral line to base of caudal and 3 more on latter; 12 scales 

 obliquely back from origin of dorsal to lateral line ; 9 scales in a 

 vertical series between origin of anal and lateral line; 30 scales 

 before dorsal; snout 2^ in head; eye 4/^; maxillary 3% J 

 interorbital space 3/^; first branched dorsal ray i}i; first 

 branched anal ray i J^ ; least depth of caudal peduncle 2^/7 ; 

 pectoral i-^/io; ventral i^ ; pharyngeal teeth 2, 4-4, 2. Body 

 rather long, compressed, robust. Head moderate, conic. Snout 

 convex, blunt and well protruding. Eye circular, a little anterior. 

 Mouth low, inferior, and nearly horizontal. Lips fleshy. Barbel 

 at extremity of maxillary prominent. Upper lip below level of 

 orbit. Maxillary reaching about three-fourths of space to orbit. 

 Nostrils close in front of orbit, posterior large. Interorbital 

 space broad, flattened. Gill-rakers i + 5 short points. Scales 

 small, crowded anteriorly and on predorsal region. Lateral line 

 a little decurved and of simple tubes, complete. Dorsal inserted 

 midway between anterior margin of orbit and base of caudal, and 

 reaching half way to latter. Anal inserted opposite base of last 

 dorsal ray, margin of fin straight, and extending three-fourths of 

 space to base of caudal. Caudal a little emarginate. Pectoral 

 reaching ventral. Ventral inserted nearer tip of snout than base 

 of caudal, well before dorsal, and reaching nearly to anal. Vent 

 close in front of anal. Color olive, paler below. Back and side 

 with numerous dusky mottlings. A dark streak on lips. Dorsal 

 and caudal pale dusky, other fins reddish. Length 3% inches. 

 Budd Lake. 



This little dace — for it never exceeds more than 5 inches — - 

 differs from the common species in the long prominent snout, 

 which projects well beyond the mouth. It is found in clear rush- 

 ing torrents, most always in the rapids or rock pools. In spring 

 it is a beautiful little fish, but is perhaps less gorgeous than the 

 following. Dr. Abbott tells me he has found it sparingly only 



