284 REPORT OF NEW JERSEY STATE MUSEUM. 
pale olivaceous-brown, latter darker marginally. Lower surface 
of body with pale light mottlings. Iris umber. Length 1 inch. 
These fish were found in the sphagnum of the Wading River, 
near Speedwell. 
Though they appeared rather small in the Wading River, those 
taken in small bodies of water and in the ditches were some- 
times quite large. They generally struggled a little when first 
captured, after which they soon died. It is beautiful in its more 
or less sombre colors, and is a very characteristic inhabitant of 
the cedar-stained streams. Many examples were examined from 
Cedar Swamp Creek, pools at the head of the Egg Harbor River, 
and pool Tolsoms. I found them abundant in the sphagnum of 
the Great Egg Harbor River above May’s Landing. ‘They were 
not found in clear or open places, but preferred the concealment 
of the sphagnum shores. It was only by grouping about in such 
places with a dip-net that they were secured. They do not swim 
boldly about the open places or small channels, like the Wesogo- 
nistius, but seem altogether more retiring. Their coloration is 
admirably adapted to further their protection. When captured 
in a dip-net they frequently struggle a short interval very rapidly, 
especially flapping the tail from side to side, then remaining per- 
fectly quiet, only to repeat this performance again and soon 
expire. 
Dr. Abbott was formerly under the impression that this spe- 
cies was the male Enneacanthus gloriosus. All the numerous 
examples which he dissected were found to contain milt, while all 
of the examples of .gloriosus contained ova. Upon recent investi- 
gation I find that both the obesus and gloriosus forms are cer- 
tainly two distinct species, as both milt and roe have been found 
in examples of each. Dr. Abbott also tells me that he has found 
spotted males very abundant at Trenton, but only during the fore 
part of the year, while the females may be obtained any time. 
The description by Dr. Bean, based on an example collected at 
Beesley’s Point, does not refer to the type of this species. The 
type will be found to have been taken in Massachusetts and de- 
scribed, apparently previous to Baird’s account, by Girard. 
Pomotis obesus Baird, 9th An. Rep. Smiths. Inst., 1854, p. 324. 
Bryttis obesus Abbott, Geol. N. J., 1868, p. 807. 
