CALL — FISHES OF THE OZARK REGION. 77 



1 8. Semotilus atromaculatus, Mitchell. (347-) 



West Fork of Black River, Tom's Creek, and Barren Fork, Rey- 

 nolds County; Spring Valley Creek, Shannon County; Big Creek, 

 Texas County; Meramec River, Dent County. This is a very com- 

 mon chub in all streams, specimens of maximum size occurring in 

 most localities where collections were made. The tubercles of the 

 males had not all been lost in late June. 



19. Fundulus catenatus, Storer. (569.) 



This cyprinodont was very common in all streams on the south 

 slope of the Ozarks, in all localities visited. It is another of those 

 forms which were originally described from the mountain streams of 

 the Alleghanies. The highly-colored caudal fins of the larger males 

 were an especially attractive feature of the schools when swimming 

 near the surface. They are powerful swimmers, often springing clear 

 of the seine when brought near the banks for drawing. Especially 

 large and fine specimens were taken in Jack's Fork. 



20. Zygonectes notatus, Rafinesque. (576.) 



West Fork of Black River, Reynolds County, and Jack's Fork, 

 Shannon County. Quite rare in the collections made in these streams, 

 and all taken evidently males. 



21. Esox vermiculatus, Le Seuer. (598.) 



Sinking Creek, Spring Valley Creek, and Jack's Fork, Shannon 

 County. This species, which is locally called "mountain-trout," and 

 occasionally "pike," is abundant in all of the larger streams in the 

 mountains of Missouri. It delights to quietly loiter in the shelter of 

 the pads of the pond-lily and in the shadows of the dense masses of 

 Potamogeton, a few inches below the surface of the water. Motionless, 

 in such situations, it awaits the coming of the unwary minnow, when, 

 quicker than thought, it darts upon its prey, and, while you look, 

 slowly sinks from sight. There is no apparent motion of fin or tail, 

 but, ere you realize it, the "ravenous beauty" is gone. Its coming 

 to the surface is as motionless and unexpected. Happening upon a 

 favored locality, a somewhat deep expansion of Spring Valley Creek, 

 upon the surface of which were dense growths of pond-weeds, with 

 occasional clear spaces, one could, at any time during the early even- 

 ing, see a half-dozen rising slowly to the surface. It was not long 

 before we learned how dainty a supper a well-directed rifle-shot would 

 provide. Sending the bullet a few inches under the waiting fish 

 would throw him a yard out of the water, and before he recovered 



