IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIKNCP:S. 51 



form in our area. Specimens nearly eight inclies in lenj^th were collected in the 

 Middle river. 



Seiiioiiliis atromaciilatiis Mitchell. — Walnut creek; Beaver creek; Raccoon and 

 Des Moines rivers, Des Moines; North river. 



A species of very wide distribution in all streams, both large and small, but pre- 

 ferring clear creeks or brooks. This dace often attains a length of quite one foot, 

 fhough none that would exceed seven inches have been taken by us. The locality 

 producing t'-'is form in greatest numbers is Walnut creek, in which many and large 

 examples were taken. 



Noteiuigronus chrjsoleucus Mitchell. — Raccoon river, Des Moines; Beaver 

 creek. 



This beautiful fish has occurred in only the two localities named though it is 

 said to be common in sluggish or weedy waters. The form is rare with us, only 

 six or seven specimens having been taken. Its bright golden hue, great depth of 

 body, characters of the opercular covering, and the sharp ridged dorsum will 

 enable it to be readily distinguished. It occurred in our collections in a deep hole, 

 removed from the Raccoon river, and seems to do best in streams of muddy bot- 

 tom. It possibly occurs in plenty in favorable localities. 



CYPRINODONTID.E. 



(The Top-Minnows.) 



Zygoncctes uotatus Rafinesque. — Squaw creek; Raccoon river, Des Moines. 



This form is rare at Des Moines, only one specimen having been taken, but it is 

 abundant in Squaw creek at Ames. None of the specimens seen attained the 

 maximum size which is stated to be three inches. It thrives best in still waters. 



ESOCID.E. 

 (The Pikes.) 



Esox vermiculatus Le Sueur. — Beaver creek; Yader creek. 



Three examples were taken in Beaver creek and one seen in an aquarium, said to 

 have been seined in Yader creek, a small stream in South Des Moines, tributary to 

 the Des Moines river but dry the most of the year. The peculiar character of the 

 markings on the side of the body distinguish the least pickerel from its remaining 

 congeners. In the following species, the pike — Esox hicius — these markings are a 

 deeper yel'ow, are disconnected commonly, and are oval in shape. The general 

 jellow cast of the pike enables ready distinction, though by fishermen the species 

 are not separated. The least pickerel rarely ever exceeds twelve inches in length 

 though specimens have been seen from the northern portion of the State fully 

 fifteen inches in length. 



Esox liicius Linnieus. — Raccoon river, Des Moines and Adel; Des Moines river, 

 Des Moines and Ft. Dodge. 



This is the common pike and is now commonly taken by sportsmen in our 

 region. It takes the hook far more freely than the preceding form. It is comr 

 mon or even abundant in the lakes and streams of the northern and northwestern 

 portions of the State. Prof. S. E. Meek and the writer have taken or seen specimens 

 of eight and ten pounds weight in number in Storm Lake and in the Cherokee river. 

 It is found in deep and still water and most abundantly in deep streams that have 

 many weedy patches. A seine pulled over or through such a locality is certain to 

 capture a specimen, the fish lurking in the shadow of the weeds escaping thus the 

 observation of the unsuspecting minnow. They are very ravenous and are 



