304 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS [vOL. 45 



The European Umbra could not be induced by Heckel and Kner 

 to spawn in captivity, and a female which was kept for a year in a 

 small garden basin perished because, although filled to distension 

 with eggs as large as millet seeds, it could not relieve itself of them. 

 When one of a company dies, the rest soon follow it. 



The Umbras have no economic value and are even considered by 

 many to be poisonous. For a time at least in bygone years they 

 were frequently to be seen in the markets of Vienna generally mixed 

 up with a loach {Misgnrnus fossilis), but not sold independently. 

 Of course they were not sought for or caught intentionally, but simply 

 scooped up with other contents of the net. Fishermen indeed, it is 

 said, have a superstitious belief that it brings bad luck to catch 



Umbras. 



IV 



Three species of the genus and family are known, distributed and 

 distinguished as follows : 



Umbra umbra {Umbra kramcri) : the European Umbra. — South- 

 west Europe, especially Hungary. 



The body is light brownish and has lighter longitudinal lines on 

 the rows of scales including and below the lateral line as well as 

 more or less irregular darker spots scattered over the surface. 

 There is no precaudal bar but a trace of one on the caudal fin near 

 its base. An indistinct darker area exists on the scapular arch behind 

 the branchial chamber. The head has a suborbital spot sometimes 

 developed as a transverse bar. The fins are immaculate. 



Umbra limi : the Western Umbra or Mud Minnow. — Basins of 

 the Great Lakes and Ohio and Illinois rivers, in weedy streams, 

 ditches, and pools. 



The body is very dark brown relieved by about twelve to fifteen 

 vertical narrow lighter bands, some of which often coalesce ; the last 

 is bounded by a blackish precaudal bar and there is a lighter bar on 

 the caudal fin near its base. A silvery bar is on the scapular region 

 behind the branchial chamber. The head has a frenal band extend- 

 ing from snout on to operculum, but skipping eyes. The fins are 

 immaculate. 



Umbra pygm.ea : the Eastern Umbra or Mud Minnow. — Atlantic 

 slope from Connecticut southward to South Carolina in lowland 

 streams, ponds, and pools. 



The body is light brown and has about as many longitudinal light 

 lines as rows of scales, that along the lateral line being most vivid. 

 There is a very distinct blackish precaudal bar or vertical spot and 

 a fainter bar at the base of the fin. A silvery band is developed 



