FOREST, LAKE, AND RIVER 



inches. It may be recognized by its compressed 

 body, scales broader than they are long, lateral line 

 much decurved, its dark steel-blue color on the 

 upper part of its body, and the dusky tints on the 

 edges and bases of the scales. The rosy color of 

 the lower fins appears only on the male fish in the 

 spring of the year, at which time the lower jaw 

 and the region from the dorsal fin to tip of snout 

 is covered with small tubercles. The redfin is 

 sometimes called, as other small fishes are almost 

 always designated, the " shiner" or " dace." It is 

 common in all streams, and is extensively used in 

 some localities for luring trout and other fish. 



Another cyprinoid much used, is known as the 

 "horned dace" or "creek chub" [Semotilus atro- 

 maculatus, the specific name being from the Latin, 

 ater, "black," and macula, "spot"). When mature, 

 particularly in Canadian waters, it has been taken 

 up to three pounds in weight ; but the average size 

 of the adult, in New England, seldom exceeds ten 

 inches, and those used for baits should not be larger 

 than three to four inches. It is known on sight 

 by the conspicuous black spot in front of the base 

 of the dorsal fin, the dusky bar behind the gill- 

 cover, and its strongly decurved lateral line. Its 

 coloration is dusky bluish above, creamy on the 

 belly, which is rose-tinted on the males in the 

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