2 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
disclosed tlie existence of another related species inhabiting lakes in northern New 
York that has not heretofore been regarded as distinct. 
My studies of these fish liave been prompted and much aided by Dr. Tarleton H. 
Bean, at whose suggestion, and that of Dr. David S. Jordan, president of Leland 
Stanford Jr. University, whose opinion in the matter was solicited, the writer ventures 
to call attention to the two fishes in question, to assign to them names, and to note 
the features that distinguish them from a described species with which they have 
both been identified, viz, Coregonus hoyi (Gill). Tlie opportunity will also be imi)roved 
to record some original notes on the natural history and commercial importance of 
one of these. 
Figures of the two species regarded as new are presented, and, for purposes of 
comparison, a figure of Coregomis hoyi is given. 
Acknowledgment of assistance rendered tlie writer in the preparation of this paper 
is respectfully tendei’ed to Prof. Barton W. Evermann, Dr. Theodore Gill, and Mr. 
Barton A. Beau, in addition to Dr. Bean and Prof. Jordan. 
COREGONUS OSMERIFORMIS, sp. nov. 
Coregonus hoyi, Bean, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1882, 658 (Skaneateles and Seneca lakes, N. Y.); 
Goode, Natural Hist. Aquatic Animals (Seneca Lake, N. Y.), plate only. (Not Argyrosomus 
hoyi Gill). 
Body elongate, slender, back not elevated, the greatest depth being considerably 
less than length of head, and contained 5 times in body length. Head rather large, 
4 in body, its width rather more than one-third its length; length of top of head 2 
times in distance from occiput to dorsal; profile of head nearly straight. Mouth large, 
the lower jaw projecting; maxillary contained 3 times in length of head, its posterior 
edge extending to line drawn vertically through the anterior margin of pupil; mandi- 
ble one-half the length of head, its angle under the pupil. Eye large, equal to snout, 4 
in head. Gill-rakers long and slender, as long as eye, 55 in number, 35 below the angle. 
Scales small, 83 in lateral line, 9 between dorsal origin and lateral line, 8 between 
ventral origin and lateral line. Dorsal fin rather high, its height equal to four-fifths 
depth of body and times length of base of fin; 9 developed rays; its origin nearer 
base of caudal than snout; its free margin nearly vertical, straight. Veutrals long, 
equal to height of dorsal, their length equal to three-fourths of distance from ventral 
origin to vent; ventral origin midway between base of caudal and pupil; 12 developed 
rays. Anal with 13 developed rays, the longest four-fifths length of base of fin. Pec- 
torals with IG rays, longer than ventrals, one-sixth length of body. Teeth present 
on the tongue. Color above grayish silvery, sides bright silvery, below white; tips of 
dorsal and caudal dark. Brauchiostegals, 7 or 8. Length, 10 inches. 
Habitat: Seneca Lake and Skaneateles Lake, New York. * 
Etymology: Osmeriformis, from Osmertis, a smelt, and forma, form, shape; in 
allusion to the general shape of the fish. It is known as “ smelt” in parts of New York. 
The specimens on which this species is based are contained in the collection of the 
U. S. National Museum ; one specimen (No. 32162) is from Seneca Lake, New York, and 
was collected by Prof. H. L. Smith in June, 1878; the other examjiles (No. 32165), 
four in number, are from Skaneateles Lake, New York, and were forwarded by Mr. 
J. O. Willetts in October, 1882. The foregoing description applies primarily to the 
specimen from Seneca Lake. The exam^iles from Skaneateles Lake are 5 to 6 inches 
long; they closely resemble the larger fish but have a somewhat longer head (3f or 3^ 
