THE FISHES OF GEORGIAN BAY 27 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 39b 



The large specimen mentioned above shows the body relatively much deeper 

 (3*6 in length), and the eye relatively smaller (5 in head), its actual size being 

 no greater than in smaller specimens. 



The food of this species appears to consist largely of green and blue green algae, 

 with some aquatic insects, and occasionally entomostraca. Specimens about to 

 spawn have been taken as early as May 18th. During the spawning season the 

 fish are extremely active and very tenacious of life. 



Notropis atherinoides, Rafinesque. 



(Shiner. Silver minnow) 



{Plate II, Fig. 14) 



This species occurs in small numbers in the shore swamps during the summer, 

 but in spring is frequently seen in large schools near shore feeding for the most part 

 on insects. It is easily distinguished from other minnows by its very slender, 

 elongated body. 



Length not usually exceeding 2f inches. Body moderately compressed, very 

 slender, the depth 5-8 to 6-9 in the length of the body. Upper part of the trunk, 

 except for a thin triple vertebral streak, clear translucent olive, in spring deep green 

 to almost black, bounded below by a thin gilt stripe. Sides very silvery, with a 

 broad ground band of plumbeous shade running from the upper margin of the 

 opercle to the base of the tail. No caudal spot. Cheek and opercle bright silvery. 

 Spring specimens with delicate orange red spots at the bases of the pectorals and 

 ventrals, also at the posterior end of the maxilla and above the opercle. Head 

 4 to 4*7, conical. Mouth terminal, somewhat oblique, the jaws more like those 

 of larger fishes. Eye 3 • 2 to 3 • 5 in head, appearing large in some specimens. Dorsal 

 fin with 8 or 9 rays, its anterior margin considerably posterior to a vertical line 

 drawn at front of ventrals. Anal fin with 10 or 11 rays. Scales rounded, very 

 lightly attached, 6,38 to 43,3. 20 to 22 rows in front of the dorsal fin. Lateral 

 line complete, strongly bowed downwards in its anterior part. 



The fish is probably the most alert and active of all the minnows, and appears 

 to live on insects to a much greater extent. 



Family anguillidae. 



(Eels) 



Angiiilla chrys3rpa, Rafinesque. 



(American Eel) 



Specimens of this species are reported on reliable authority to have been taken 

 occasionally at the mouth of the Severn River and at Waubaushene at the south- 



