26 MARINE AND FISHERIES 



5 GEORGE v., A. 1915 



to 4.7. Coloration in general pale yellowish, the sides silvery. A thin vertebral 

 line. Scales of back and sides with faint dark edges. A faint plumbeous band on 

 the side of the body showing narrower and fainter in its anterior portion. Some- 

 times specks above and below the pores of the lateral line but never pronounced 

 (of. N. blennius). Head short, 3.8 to 4.5 in length of body. Nose rather blunt, 

 the mouth at its ventral angle and very slightly oblique. Eye large, 2.3 to 3.6 

 in head. Dorsal fin with 8 rays; anal with 8, sometimes 7. Scales 6,38 to 41,4. 

 16 to 19 oblique rows before the dorsal fin. Lateral line complete, decurved anterior- 

 ly. Stomach and intestine 1 . 1 to 1 . 3 in length of body. 



Notropis comutus, Mitchill. 



(Common shiner. Redfin minnow) 



{Plate II, fig. IS) 



With the exception of the blunt-nosed minnow (Pimephales notatus) this is 

 the most abundant minnow of the region. Represented by at least a few speci- 

 mens in nearly all seine catches, and often present to the exclusion of all other 

 species except that mentioned. . It occurs in all swamps on the main shore and in- 

 land, specimens having been taken from Flat Rock Lake, Giant's Tomb Island, 

 Waubaushene, Sans Souci, Pte. au Baril, and Byng Inlet. It is also the laigest 

 minnow in the region, though not leaching the size reported from other localities. 

 The fish is easily recognizea in the water by its somewhat deep body, sliveiy sides, 

 and especially the dorsolateral gilt stiipe, which is much moie pronounced in this 

 than in other species. 



Length commonly to 3f inches, a single specimen measuring 5 inches. Depth 

 4 to 4-6, the body in young specimens rather elongated, but in older ones appearing 

 shorter and deeper. Laterally compressed, the sides quite flat. Coloration above 

 olivaceous, with a conspicuous vertebral stripe of black. Back bordered by a gilt 

 stripe which shows best in the water. Sides silvery, sometimes appearing blotched 

 on account of extra pigment on groups of scales or single ones. An indistinct 

 lateral plumbeous band, the anterior part of which is very faint and only about 

 half the width of the posterior part. Spring males have the darker parts of the 

 body more brilliantly expressed, and there is a bright rosy hue on the sides, es- 

 pecially above the pectoral fins. The lower fins are all red, and there is a flush of 

 red on the tips of the dorsal and caudal fins and on the lower side of the head. 

 Some males have the top of the head covered by minute tubercles. Females plain. 

 Head 3*9 to 4 in length of body; somewhat compressed, the snout blunt. Mouth 

 terminal, rather large and slightly oblique. Eye 3 • 1 to 3 -8 (specimens to 3| inches). 

 Dorsal fin with 8 rays ; anal with 9. Scales 7 or 8, 41 to 43, 4 or 5. The exposed 

 edges of the scales are very narrow and deep on the anterior end of the body at 

 the sides, by which character alone the species would be readily recognized. 21 

 to 25 rows of scales in front of the dorsal fin. Lateral line complete, slightly de- 

 curved in front. Stomach and intestine 1 to 1*3 in length of body. 



