232 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF 



those on dorsal and anal almost forming bands. Iris lemon yellow and silvery in the larger ; 

 almost vermilion and orange in smaller. A dark blotch at upper edge of opercle. 



The Chautauqua Lake mascalonge, according to Mr. James Annin, Jr., who sent 

 the specimens, is a very fine food and game fish, and attains to the weight of fifty 

 pounds. In the spring of 1895 it was not unusual to capture individuals weighing 

 from forty to fifty pounds, and twenty to thirty pounds was a very common weight. 

 In winter the fish frequent nearly the same localities as in summer, being found in 

 the vicinity of water-plants. When the lake becomes very clear in February, they 

 go into deep water, but they live in deep water more or less all the year. 



For the fish-cultural operations the nets are set as soon after the first of April as 

 the ice leaves the lake. The fish begin to spawn a few days after and continue until 

 the latter part of April. They go into shallower water for spawning ; most of them 

 spawn in from ten to 15 feet of water. They do not resort to the gravel like many 

 other fish, but to mud, generally going into baj's. The eggs are placed in boxes, all 

 of which are provided with screens at top and bottom. The bottom has an e.\tra 

 screen, to prevent minnows from injuring the eggs. The boxes are sunk from one 

 to two feet under the surface of the water. Every day or two they are drawn up, the 

 covers removed, and all bad eggs and sediment cleaned out. 



57. Fundulus majalis {]Va/haiim). Bass Minnow; Killifish. — This large 

 killifish is found all the year in Gravesend Bay. It has proved less vigorous in 

 captivity than all the other marine killifishes. In the winter it is found in deep, 

 muddy holes at the mouths of creeks. 



58. Fundulus heteroclitus {Li>iii(riis). Killifish. — A permanent resident in 

 Gravesend Bay, going into deep, muddy holes near the mouth of creeks in winter. 

 This species forms the principal supply of live food for the larger fishes in the 

 Aquarium. 



59. Fundulus diaphanus {Lc Snenr). Fresh-\v.\ter Killifish. — This is 

 usually a most difficult species to keep in health. The individuals now in the gallery 

 were seined in the lake at One Hundred and Tenth Street and Fifth Avenue, Central 

 Park, in August, 1897. Asa rule the fish is attacked and killed by fungus before the 

 salt-water treatment can take effect. Its food is chopped hard clams chiefly. 

 Occasionally it takes liver. It cannot be considered hardy in captivity. 



60. Lucania parva {InTird & Girard). R.\IN\v,vter-FISH. — This killifish is 

 abundant in Peconic, Shinnecock and Great South Bays, and in a fresh-water stream 

 at Water Mill, Long Island. Although small it is always interesting because of its 

 translucent body and its graceful movements ; it is hardy and takes chopped clams 

 very freely. The fish does not exceed one and one-half inches in length. 



