158 REPORT OF NEW JERSEY STATE MUSEUM. 
secured it at Ocean City, on August 19th, 1906, where it was 
common. Their bellies turn red after being placed in alcohol. 
Common in fresh and brackish water of Fishing Creek, where 
it flows over the beach, May 5th, 1907. Also in New England 
Creek at Higbee’s Beach, in the still ponds, especially where there 
is rotting vegetable matter forming a deep black ooze on the 
bottom. In such stinking places these little fish swarm by the 
thousands. They were not brilliantly colored by October 6th, 
1907, being only their usual white and lead-colored shades. 
Young also abundant. 
Gambusia gracilis (Heckel). 
PLATE 66. 
Top Minnow. 
Plead:/334.; depth 34/73 DM; O71 ; Alan, 7, 15 Pile: Nei 
scales 30 in a lateral count from gill-opening above to base of 
caudal and 2 more on latter; 22 scales between tip of snout and 
origin of dorsal; 11 scales obliquely up and back from origin 
of anal to that of dorsal; 7 scales in a lateral oblique series on 
side of caudal peduncle; width of head 1% in its length; depth 
of head at occiput about 1%; mandible 2%; first branched dor- 
sal ray 1°/,; first branched anal ray 17/,; caudal 1; least depth 
of caudal peduncle 2; pectoral 114; ventral 2; snout 3 in head 
measured from tip of upper jaw; eye 3; maxillary 2%; inter- 
orbital space 17%. Body elongate, well compressed, greatest 
depth a trifle before origin of ventral, upper profile a little more 
evenly though less convex than lower, edges of body rounded, 
and general contour rather elongately ovoid. Caudal peduncle 
long, well compressed, and its least depth 154 in its length. 
Head moderately small, greatly depressed and broadened above, 
so that upper profile is a little concave anteriorly and less inclined 
than lower. Lower profile suddenly ascending anteriorly, this 
due to rather evenly convex profile of mandible. Snout short, 
depressed greatly, its length about */, its width, and profile as 
viewed from above rather broadly convex. Eye circular, nearly 
impinging on upper profile, and its center very slightly before 
middle in its length. Mouth superiorly terminal, protruding 
