IOWA ACADEMY OF SC1?]NCES. 49 



bainl descends to and includes the upper portion of the lower lip; this form 

 constantly never has the line on the lower iip. In habit Xotropis cai/uc/a is 

 somewhat peculiar. It has never occurred to us except in water that was warm, 

 with muddy bottom, and never yet in water flowing swiftly or cold water. It would 

 seem, therefore, that it may be sought for in bayous and similar situations with 

 hopes of success. It is one of the most beautiful fishes in the genus, 



Xotropis (Icliciosns Girard. — Des Moines river, Des Moines and Ft. Dodge; 

 Raccoon river at Des Moines, Adel and Perry ; Beaver creek ; Walnut creek; Squaw 

 creek; Middle river. 



It will be noted that this species is of wide distribution in our area and it is 

 likewise abundant, being exceeded in point of numbers only by FiniepJiales 

 nutatus. It is difficult of distinction from certain of its congeners, notably 

 Notrupis gilbertl, the last named, however, having a much larger eye and larger 

 mouth, with a greater number of scales before the dorsal, the scales being, also, 

 somewhat larger. In deUciosiis the mouth is very small, on which character the 

 specific name is based. 



Notropis (lilectus Girard. — Beaver creek; Walnut creek; North river; Raccoon 

 river at Des Moines, Adel and Perry; Des Moines river at Des Moines. 



A form of common occurrence, but few in numbers. It is believed that the form 

 called rubrifrons, listed below, is to be properly considered a synonym of this 

 species. 



Notropis gilberti Jordan and Meek. — Raccoon river at Des Moines, Adel and 

 Perry; Four Mile creek; Walnut creek; Beaver creek; North river; Middle river. 



This species' name is based upon certain forms discovered by Messrs. Jordan and 

 Meek in the Des Moines river, at Ottumwa. Allied to Notropis hoops Gilbert, it 

 is readily distinguished from that form by the smaller eye. It is very abundant in 

 all ot our collections, hardly less so than is Notropis deliciosus with which it pre- 

 sents some features in common. 



Notropis megalops Rafinesque.— Beaver creek; Four Mile creek; Raccoon river 

 at Dts Moines, Adel and Perry; Des Moines river at Des Moines and Ft. Dodge; 

 Walnut creek; North river; Middle river. 



This species is the largest and most variable Notropis in Iowa if not in North 

 America. The old forms, especially the males, present features so entirely different 

 from those of the young that the wonder is not that so great a synonymy is found 

 um^er this species but that the list of names is not greater. The old males are 

 very deep, the lateral line much decurved, the scales larger and pro- 

 portionately broader, the eye smaller and the whole facies of the 

 fish, as seen in the smaller forms, entirely different. Its synonymy will 

 embrace more names than any other species in the genus. Throughout our limit 

 it is a very abundant and ever present form in the small and large streams alike. 

 Like Fintephales notatus it is rarely absent from the fisherman's bait-pail. It is a 

 common form in the aquaria in Des Moines. 



Notropis rubrifrons Cope. — Squaw creek. 



A form which is properly to be placed in the synonymy of Notropis aniens 

 Cope. 



Notropis iimbratilis Girard. — North river; Raccoon river at Adel, Des Moines 

 and Perry; Des Moines river at Des Moines; Middle river; Walnut creek; Beaver 

 creek. 



This small but well defined form is common in occurrence but somewhat rare in 

 point of numbers, three or four specimens alone rewarding patient and continued 

 search in each of the above localities . 



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