420 



AMERICAN FISHES. 



bait fishermen, and we have "artificial minnows" of multifarious forms 

 for salt-water as well as for inland angling. 



c-^ffb?-^ 



THE EUROPEAN" MiyNO'W'— PHOXIXUS LAEVIS. 



One of the most beautiful of our species is the " Black-striped Minnow," 

 Rhinichthys atronasus, also abundant in clear brooks and mountain streams 

 from Ohio and Virginia to New England, and one of the choicest of 

 aquarium pets. 



The Minnow is artificially propagated in France for the benefit of car- 

 nivorous fishes in ponds. Since it is an exceedingly prolific species, it is 

 possible that its introduction into America might be beneficial. 



THE EUROPEAN GUDGEON— GOBIO FLUA'IATILIS. 



" The Gudgeon," said Piscator, "is reputed a fish of excellent taste, and 

 to be very wholesome ; he is of a fine shape, of a silver color, and beauti- 

 fied with black spots both on his body and tail. He breeds two or three 

 times in the year, and always in summer. He is commended for a fish of 

 excellent nourishment ; the Germans call him Groundling, by reason of 

 his feeding on the ground, and he there feasts himself in sharp streams and 

 on the gravel. He is a most excellent fish to enter a young angler, being- 

 easy to be taken with a small red worm, on or near to the ground. He is 



