74 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 
snout to caudal, this band usually notched above and below, giving it a 
serrated appearance. A light, translucent spot is conspicuous on the top of 
the head when the fish is swimming at the surface. Length 2 to 3% inches. 
The Top Swimmer is a common species in suitable localities 
in the Ohio river drainage, but is rather rare in the tributaries of 
the lake. Hamilton County, very abundant in Ross lake, Hen- 
shall, 1888 ; Maumee river at Grand Rapids, St. Mary’s river at 
St. Mary’s and Rockford, Tiffin river at West Unity and Bruners- 
burg, Auglaize river at Wapakoneta, Cloverdale, Oakwood and 
Defiance, Blanchard river at Ottawa, Hoaglin creek at Ottawa, 
““seemingly scarce at all these points,’’ Kirsch, 1893; Franklin 
County, of general distribution, abundant in places, Williamson 
. and Osburn, 1897 ; Wabash river at Celina, Stillwater creek near 
Dayton, very common, R. C. Osburn, 1899. 
Order: HEMIBRANCHII. 
Family : (GASTEROSTEIDA. 
Genus: FEUCALIA. 
Eucalia inconstans (Kirtland). Brook STICKLEBACK. 
Head 3%; depth 4. D.IV-I, 10; A. I, 10. Body moderately elongate, 
little compressed; caudal peduncle slender, not keeled. Dorsal spines low, 
subequal, 4 or 5 in number in a right line; a cartilaginous ridge along base 
of fin; ventral spines short and sharp, serrated. Color, males in spring jet 
black, tinged with red anteriorly; females and young, olivaceous, mottled 
and dotted with black. Length 2% inches. 
This species is probably confined to the central and northern 
parts of Ohio. It is said to be abundant in some localities. Kirt- 
land described the species in 1841, from brooks of Trumbull 
County ; Jordan gives it as ‘‘abundant in many streams in 
northern part of Ohio’’; ‘‘ Castalia creek’’ near Sandusky, Hen- 
shall, 1889; Lorain County, ‘‘I have found sticklebacks in but 
two places,’’ McCormick, 1892; Mr. E. B. Williamson writes me 
that he has found the species in Niggermill Run at Salem, Col- 
umbiana County, 1899. 
