352 
U. S. P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS—ZOOLOGY—GENERAL REPORT. 
ray alone is simple, or else not sub-divided. The fulcra extend beyond the two-thirds of the 
length of all the external rays. 
The number of scales in an oblique series across the body, beginning under the ventrals and 
extending upwards and forwards, is forty-three: One dorsal median series ; seven from the 
dorsal region to the lateral line ; and thirteen from the lateral line to the median series on the 
abdomen^ 
In a similar oblique series, taken posteriorly to the ventral fins, there are thirty-seven scales : 
the dorsal series as usual; seven from the dorsal region to the lateral line ; and nine from the 
lateral line to the middle region of the abdomen. The tubes of the lateral line are very con¬ 
spicuously developed. 
The forms of the scales constituting the middle dorsal series is quite different from all the 
rest: posteriorly rounded, broader than long, and sub-cordiform from the occiput to a certain 
distance back, becoming sub-elliptical further on and quite lanceolated as they approach the 
dorsal fin. On the sides of the body they are sub-rhomboid, sub-convex at their upper and pos¬ 
terior edge, and rather convex at their, inferior edge. Towards the caudal region they are sub¬ 
trapezoid, angular, posteriorly lanceolated and acute. 
The ground color is olivaceous, spotted with bluish black above and on the sides; the abdomen 
being light yellowish or straw color ; the upper surface of the head and snout exhibiting the 
same spots as the back. The vertical fins are likewise spotted, whilst the pectorals and ventrals 
are of a uniform yellowish tint. 
List of specimens. 
Catal. 
No. of 
Locality. 
When collected. 
Whence obtained. 
Nature of 
Collected by— 
No. 
spec. 
specimen. 
1002 
2 
Devil’s river, Texas 
1853 
Capt. John Pope.. 
Dried.. 
Geo. G. Shumard. 
2 . LEPIDOSTEUS (CYLINDROSTEUS) LATIROSTRIS, Grd. 
Spec. Char. —Body anteriorly cylindrical, deeper than broad (thick), upon its middle; dorsal region sub-convex, broader 
than the abdominal region. Peduncle of tail very much compressed. Head constituting the fourth of the total length. Eye 
rather large, circular ; diameter of orbit entering about ten times in the length of the side of the head ; thrice behind its posterior 
rim. Anal fin somewhat'deeper and longer at its base than the dorsal; the tipofits longest rays extending beyond the insertion 
of the inferior rays of the caudal fin. Ventrals larger than the pectorals, and inserted nearly midway between the thoracic 
belt and the origin of the anal fin ; hence nearer the extremity of the rostrum than the convexity of the caudal fin. Bluish 
grey above ; dull yellow beneath. 
The species here referred to is closely allied to Lepidosteus platostomus, from which it differs 
chiefly by a broader rostrum, tapering likewise less rapidly forwards. Its width near the apex 
is half that of its base, near the angle of the mouth. The base of the head is a good deal 
broader than deep. The number of the rays of the fins are as follows : 
D 8 + 1; A 9; C 12; V 6; P 10. 
All of them bifurcate and again sub-divide, except the last in the dorsal and anal fins, as well 
as the innermost in the pectorals, which are simple, else undivided. 
The number of scales in an oblique series across the body, with its initial point under the 
base of the ventrals, is from forty-six to forty-eight or from forty-five to forty-seven : one dorsal 
median series ; nine or ten from the dorsal region to the lateral line; and thirteen from the 
lateral line to the middle series along the abdomen. 
