156 REPORT OF NEW JERSEY STATE ^lUSEU^I. 



about as long as orbit. Nostrils together in front of eye above. 

 Interorbital space broad and slightly convex. Gill-rakers about 

 8+15 short weak points. Scales on anterior portion of body 

 crowded above, on caudal peduncle large. Lateral line of simple 

 tubes, a little decurved, median. Dorsal inserted midway be- 

 tween tip of snout and base of caudal, and depressed fin reaching 

 a trifle over half v/ay to latter. Anal inserted a little nearer base 

 of last dorsal ray than base of caudal, and depressed fin reaching 

 a little beyond latter. Caudal a little emarginate and rather broad. 

 Pectoral a little long, reaching opposite origin of dorsal. Ven- 

 tral about opposite middle of base of dorsal, or J4 of space to 



Sucker. Catostomus coinmcrsonnii (Lacepede). (Young.) 



anal. Color olive, pale below. Back and sides mottled with 

 dusky. Length 3^4 inches. Crosswicks Creek near Trenton. 



This is the most abundant sucker in the Delaware. During 

 the winter months it is sought for by anglers, and is then a tol- 

 erably good food-fish. As the warm spring days approach they 

 begin to form schools and ascend the creeks and small streams in 

 numbers, when they are mostly taken in cast-nets. The best 

 time for this fishing is during a warm spell after a rain when the 

 water becomes muddy. The fisherman usually wades into shal- 

 low pools among rapids, or frequently with more success if near 

 the foot of a water-fall. Loud talking or even shouting does not 

 appear to disturb the fish, as on such occasions I have noticed 



