226. With the lower portion of the head appearing swollen; mucous channels 



visible through the operculum as light streaks; scale count about 33; 

 Michigan to Florida and Kansas 



Ericymba huccata Cope Silvery-mouthed Minnow 

 Not so (Over a hundred species of the former genus T^otropis, the exact 

 identification of which requires dissection and technical knowledge. 

 These are divided into many genera in Jordan, Evermann and Clark's 

 Check List, now mostly restored to the genus 7S[otrop!S. Some of the 

 common species are given here.) 227. 



227. Lateral line usually incomplete; with a more or less distinct dark lateral 



band 228. 



Lateral line usually complete 233. 



228. Anal rays usually nine to eleven; pharyngeal teeth typically 2'4'4'2; 



chin black; N. Carolina (If top of head is almost evenly dark, see N- 

 scepticus under Choice 259.) 



Hydrophlox altipinnis (Cope) 



J\lotropis altipinnis (Cope) 

 Anal rays usually seven or eight; pharyngeal teeth typically less than 

 2'4'4'2, except in 7\[. chalybaeus 229. 



229. Mouth very oblique, with jaws equal; with dark bars on the scales above 



the lateral line alternating with black spots on the scales of the lateral 

 line to form a zigzag pattern; northern states from N. Y. to N. Dakota 



Hybopsis heterodon (Cope) Black-chinned Shiner 



J\lotropis heterodon (Cope) 

 Mouth less oblique, with the lower jaw slightly shorter than the upper; 

 color not so 230. 



230. Dark lateral band passing forward across mouth and chin 23 L 

 Lateral band, consisting of fine dark cross bars across lateral line pores, 



passing forward just above the mouth 232. 



23 L Usually with seven rays in the anal fin; north-central states 



Hybopsis heterodon richardsoni (H. & G.) Northern Weed 

 Tsjotropis xaenocephalus richardsoni (H. d? G.) Shiner 

 Usually with eight rays in the anal fin; Mississippi Valley, N. J. to Texas 

 Hydrophlox chalybaeus (Cope) L'oncolor Shiner 

 J^lotropis chalybaeus (Cope) 



232. Dorsal fin inserted over pelvic fins; Maine to N. Y. and Virginia 



Hybopsis bifrenata Cope Brindled Minnow 

 7^otrop}s bifrenatus (Cope) 

 Dorsal fin starting behind beginning of pelvic fins; Mississippi Valley 

 and Great Lakes region 



Hybopsis heterolepsis (E. 6? E.) Blacknose Shiner 

 7\[otrop!S heterolepsis E. & E. 



233. Pharyngeal teeth typically less than 2-4-4-2 (1-4-4-2, 1-4-4-1, 1-4-4-0, 



or 4-4) 234. 



Pharyngeal teeth typically 2-4-4-2 251. 



234. Anal rays ten or eleven; with a dark band at the base of the dorsal fin; 



dorsal and tail fin with red color; N. and S. Carolina 



284 



