194 
RUFI*. 
with the same halts. The usual time of spawning is the 
spring, at which time the roe is shed in large quantity at a 
good depth in the water, on sandy ground. By some this fish 
is esteemed for the table. 
It rarely exceeds three or four inches in length. The out- 
line of its shape rises from the snout to the beginning of the 
dorsal fin, and the body becomes more slender as it approaches 
the tail, which organ is large and forked. The eyes are 
large, and placed high in the cheeks; front of the head 
round and blunt; under jaw a little the shortest; teeth nu- 
merous and fine. Cheeks with pits; border of the anterior 
gill-cover with spines, and a longer spine on the hinder gill- 
cover. The body covered with scales, which are rough to the 
touch from the nature of the edge of each of them; hence 
the name of the fish. Lateral line nearer the back. Dorsal 
fin waved, but undivided, the fourth ray the longest, the 
breadth growing narrower at the end of the spinous portion, 
and again expanding as it approaches its termination. Anal 
fin rather small, ending opposite the termination of the dorsal. 
Pectoral round; ventrals large, thoracic. The colours vary 
according to the nature of the river, from a greenish tint on 
the back to a rich yellowish brown, lighter or whitish below, 
and varied with scattered spots; fins spotted or with bars of 
brown; tints of yellow on the sides. 
