THE FISHES OF THE FRESH WATERS OF PANAMA. 



BY SETH E. MEEK* AND SAMUEL F. HILDEBRAND. 



PREFACE. 



The present report is based upon the fresh water species of fishes 

 collected during the "Smithsonian Biological Survey of the Panama 

 Canal Zone." The ichthyological reconnaissance, however, was made 

 co-operatively by the Smithsonian Institution, Field Museum of 

 Natural History and the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries. 



With the exception of a small number of specimens contributed by 

 Messrs. H. Pittier and E. A. Goldman of the U. S. Department of 

 Agriculture, the collections were made by the authors during two seasons, 

 viz.; from January to May inclusive, 1911, and from January to March 

 inclusive, 1912. The winter and early spring months were chosen 

 because they represent the dry season in Panama. In 1911 the work 

 was, however, well extended into the rainy season, for during the 

 month of May it rained every day and the streams became so high and 

 muddy that our efforts had to be confined to collecting marine species. 

 It became impossible to dry the nets or our clothing, except by artificial 

 heat, therefore, on May 22 the work was abandoned and resumed the 

 following January. 



We are greatly indebted to the Panama Rail Road Company for 

 furnishing free transportation to and from New York and for a free 

 pass on the Panama Rail Road. We are also deeply indebted to the 

 Isthmian Canal Commission, and General George W. Goethals in 

 particular, for extending to us every convenience and assistance pos- 

 sible. To the Darien Gold Mining Company we also owe our deepest 

 gratitude for rendering invaluable aid on our expedition to the Darien 

 region. Without the help thus received it would have been impossible 

 to make so large and thorough a collection as the present one. 



Our knowledge of the fresh water fishes of the Isthmus of Panama 

 heretofore was fragmentary. It was based on small collections made at 

 various times, usually not by naturalists, but by tourists and others 

 who possessed a popular interest in the subject. The small collections 

 thus secured were reported upon by various authors, viz.; Kner & 

 Steindachner, Steindachner, Gunther, Gill, Evermann & Goldsborough 



* Deceased July 6, 1914. 



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