HISTORY OF THE ICHTHYOLOGY OP NEW BRUNSWICK. 57 



least, aiiadroHioiis species in our province. "^ Indeed the 

 Fuiidnli of Nortli America divide themselves naturally 

 into two groups, one with six branchiostegal rays and 

 confined to brackish or salt water ; the other with five 

 such rays and generally frequenting rivers and lakes, 

 being veiy closely related to, if at all generically difterent 

 from Zygonedes, the species ot which, multiplied beyond 

 all reason, are residents of fresh water. 



Fundulus heferocUtus L. Mummichog. Salt water 

 Minnow. 



This species is rather common in the mouths of rivers 

 in the northern part of the province. It is closely related 

 to the last, from which it differs chiefly in being longer 

 and stouter, the head heavier, thicker and flatter, the 

 oviduct extending nearly to the end of the first anal ray ; 

 the under parts, including ventral and anal fins, pale 

 orange instead of white : the females nearl}^ plain, not 

 having, Avhen mature, the narrow black vertical bars 

 characteristic of the former species ; no golden spot at 

 front of dorsal and caudal, as in the last form, in life. 



Fundulus fasciatus, or the striped Killifish, of Perley's 

 list, is hard to identify, owing to the endless multiplicity 

 of terms and confused nomenclature employed in desig- 

 nating the various species and varieties of this genus. 

 In the very brief description given, he refers to its sides 

 " being of a brassy yellow, tinged with green . . . and 

 two to five longitudinal stripes." Now these characters 

 are said to be peculiar to F. majalis (Walb.) Gill; but 



* Several months after the above was written the author took F. diaphanus in 

 French Lake. ("See list.) A short description may be here appended: Posteriorly 

 the borly is compressed, but in large specimens round and heavy anteriorly. Small 

 examples are generally slender. Head quite flat above. General colour olivaceous 

 with dark spots on the back, sides with from ten to twenty dark vertical bars, 

 after the manner of i^. nigrofasciatus. Fin formula : D. Vi, A. 11 ; about thirty- 

 eight rows of scales on the side. Length of largest specimens five inches. It 

 seems to be generally distributed on the lower St. John and its affluents. 



