loo AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 



his. It becomes very tame in captivity, though always attacking- 

 the fins of other fishes. The species occurs in ponds on Long- 

 Island and Manhattan Island, and Mr. Wm. T. Davis, of Staten 

 Island, writes that, "Here on Staten Island, in a pond in the 

 Clove Valley, a mile or more from Salt Water, it has been com- 

 mon for many years. The little fish are born in the pond and 

 never see salt water. I am quite sure this fish would be of use 

 to you in the moscjuito experiments." 



Mr. Seal, however, questions the advisability of using this fish 

 in inland waters because it would destroy the eggs and young 

 of more valuable species which are by nature better adapted to 

 land-locked or stagnant waters. 



"-•^kiSiSi^ 



> s 



Figure 26. 



Fundiihis diaphanus: the fresh-water killy: male above; female below. 

 Jordan & Evermann, Bull. 47, U. S. Nat. Mus.) 



(From' 



This objection, however, would not apply where ponds are 

 not already stocked, and for these, the species being a top feeder, 

 might be useful. 



This little fish differs from its allies in that it has the tail 

 squarely cut off, not rounded. The females are olivaceous with 

 silvery; sides traversed by fifteen to twenty-five narrow dark 

 cross bands ; fins pale. The males, at least in the breeding season, 

 are pale olive with about twenty pearly white cross bands. 



All these species are moderately slender, graceful fish, quick in 

 motion, and with the mouth sO' situated as to be able tO' feect 

 at the surface. 



