22 MARINE AND FISHERIES 



5 GEORGE v., A. 1915 



The minnow is easily recognized by its blunt snout, robust angular body, 

 black lateral stripe, and crowded scales before the dorsal fin. Nearly all the scales 

 have dark edges, givmg the body a cross-hatched appearance. 



Length 2| mches. Body moderately elongated, but with the sides and back 

 flattened, givmg a somewhat lectangular appearance to the forward part of the 

 trunk. Depth 4*7 to 6-2 in the length of the body. Color rather dark olivaceous 

 above, all the scales except those about the pectoral and vential fins with prominent 

 daik edges. Sides dull silvery or leaden. A dark lateral stripe extending along 

 the body and around the head, passing through the eye and the uppei part of the 

 snout; not conspicuous on the head in some specimens (spring males) on account 

 of the dark coloration of its upper portion. A dark spot at the base of the caudal 

 fin, and another at the anterior base of the dorsal fin, the latter spot often faint 

 or absent. Head 4*2 to 4 '5. Snout blunt, the mouth at its ventral angle, small 

 and almost inferior. Eye 2-9 to 3-2 in head. Dorsal fin with one anterior short, 

 swollen or club-like ray and 8 ordinary rays; situated a little behind the ventrals. 

 Anal with 2 rudimentary and 7 developed rays. Scales 6 to 8, 42 to 49, 4 or 5; 

 usually 7, 44, 4. Oblique rows before dorsal fin 18 to 23, usually 21, but sometimes 

 2 or more scales inserted between rows. Lateral line complete, slightly decurved 

 in front, usually showing black specks above and below the pores, but the latter 

 never conspicuous, and often very faint or absent. The length ot the body is 

 contained 1 • 1 to 1 • 9 in the length of the stomach and intestine. 



The intestine commonly contains large quantities of vegetable material, 

 for the most part green algae in a mud-like basis, but the fish are by no means 

 purely herbivorous. During the nesting season of the bass and rock-bass, they are 

 commonly seen in large numbers waiting about the nests. If the latter are left 

 for a moment the contents are quickly disposed of. 



The eggs of this minnow are deposited during June and the early part of July 

 on the under sides of stones, sticks or pieces of bark, and are watched and vigorously 

 defended by the male fish, which at this season has the front of the head armed 

 with 16 or 18 sharp tubercles. 



Genus Notropis. 



This characteristic American genus, containing in all about 100 species, is 

 represented in this region by 6 species. The most abundant species is the redfin 

 minnow (N. cornutus) , which occurs everywhere in the shore swamps and in inland 

 waters. The much smaller species, N. blennius, is probably next in frequency 

 of occurrence, though more abundant in the more open swamps. Two species, 

 N. cayuga and N. heterodon, show a tendency towards inland situations; more 

 marked in the latter, which has been taken almost wholly in the Musquash River 

 and in Flat Rock Lake above the first falls on the Go Home River. N. hudsonius 

 is comparatively rare in the region, and appears to prefer situations where there 

 is more sand or mud bottom. N. atherinoides is an extremely abundant minnow 

 in the shore swamps in. spring, but in summer appears as a rule only in small 

 numbers. 



