I02 AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 



Grande, in brackish waters, entering streams. It attains a length 

 of three inches for the males and two^ inches for the females. 

 It is not an active fish. Like Liicania, it collects in great num- 

 bers in pools and remains quiet during the ebb of the tide, becom- 

 ing active as it floAvs in." 



This is a chunky, pot-bellied little species, totally different 

 from the species previously described, its appearance indicating 

 a much less active existence. Dr. Bean remarks that it is "one 

 of the best of its family for aquarium purposes, as it thrives 

 and breeds in captivity ; the young, however, may be eaten by 



Figure 28. 



Cyprinodon variegatus: the sheepshead minnow. (From Jordan & Evermann, Bull. 

 47, U. S. Nat. Mus.) 



their parents. Mr. Viereck has determined its usefulness as a 

 feeder upon mosquito^ larvae, so it is quite possible that this may 

 be a better fish for cisterns than Fundulns. The matter is worthy 

 of experiment and there would be no difficulty in getting material. 

 "The stumpy, pot-bellied body of Cyprinodon is evidence of its 

 more sluggish and omnivorous habits. And Lncania, though 

 slender bodied, appears to be generally found in its company or 

 under similar conditions. They will live in ditches and pools 

 so filthy and foul with noxious gases as to be beyond belief. We 

 found the stomachs and intestines of Cyprinodon to be filled with 

 the mud of the bottom slime, conferva, mud, etc. They were 

 puffed out as though ready to spawn." 



