Jordan and Evermann. — Fishes of North America. G87 



the smallest vertebrate animals known, found in swamps and ditches 

 of the warmer parts of America. In habits, the species are similar 

 to those of Gambnsia, and some of them strongly resemble the latter 

 gcnns. The small, weak month and feeble dentition will, however, 

 distinguish the species of Ilcterandria. Mexico and the southern United 

 States to Central America and the West Indies, (erepof, di fie rent ; iivrip, 

 male.) 

 a. Anal rays II; scaleB 30 to 35. 



b. Scales in 35 lengcthwise series; dorsal rays 9; a round black spot on side opposite vent. 



UNINOTATA, 1011. 



hh. Scales in 30 transverse scries; dorsal rays 9; body reticulated with brown, and with 

 silvery crossbars; a black spot at posterior base of dorsal. metallica, 1012. 



ao. Anal rays 6 to 9; dorsal rays 7 or 8; scales 24 to 28. 



c. Sidei= with a jet-black lateral streak, crossed by G or 8 black vertical bars; bases of dor- 



sal, caudal, and anal each with a black spot; size very small. Formosa, 1013. 



fc. Sides without distinct black crossbars across a lateral band. 



d. Sides with a row of about 7 round blackish spots of the size of the eye, along middle 

 of side; a black line along tail above and below; tail with faint cross bands. 



PLEUROSPILUS, 1014. 



dd. Sides with a rather faint dark lateral band. 



e. Dorsal with a black blotch on its posterior rays; a dark line along tail above 

 and below, and usually silvery crossbars on its side; 2 or 3 irregular reti- 

 culated black spots above lateral band. versicolor, 1015. 



ee. Dorsal without dark blotch, the fins all plain; a dark line along lower edge of 

 tail; size rather large. occidentalis, lOlG. 



1011. HETERANDRIA UNINOTATA (Poey). 



Head 5i to 6; depth 5 in total length (with caudal). B. 5; D. 9; A. 

 11; scales 35. Eye longer than the snout, 3i in head. Dorsal fin 

 of female inserted at middle of total length ; ventrals reaching the vent. 

 Anal process of the male very long, equal in length to its distance from 

 the end of the snout, terminating in a clasper. Greenish brown, with a 

 large round spot on the side, opposite the vent. Streams of Cuba. 

 (Poey) ; not seen by us. (uninotatu-s, with one spot.) 



Girardinus nninolatus, Poey, Memorias, ii, 309, ISGl, Rio Tacotaco, Cuba; Gunther, Cat., vi, 

 351, 1866. 



1012. HETERANDRIA METALLICA (Poey). 



Head 4i; depth 4J. B. 5; D. 9; A. 11; Y. 6 ; scales 30; vertebra; 

 13 + 20. Origin of dorsal in female nearer tip of caudal, and opposite 

 third or fourth anal ray; in the male it is nearer tip of snout. Anal pro- 

 cess of the male nearly twice as long as head, with recurved spines, and 

 a clasper at its extremity. Pectoral and ventral fins short. Free portion 

 of the tail moderatelj^ deep. Greenish, reticulated with brown, with 

 silvery cross bands ; a black spot at the posterior part of base of dorsal. 

 (Poey.) Streams of Cuba. (we/a//icH8, like metal.) 



Girardinus metaUicKs, Poet, Memorias, i, 387, pi. 31, figs. 8-11, 1S55, Cuba; Gunther, Cat., vi, 

 351, 1866. 



1013. HETERANDRIA FOR.MOSA, Agassiz. 



Head 3i to 3f ; depth 3i to 4 ; eye 3. D. 7 ; A. <! to 9 ; scales 24 to 28. 

 Body short, slightly compressed. Snout very short, about g eye. Mouth 



