LAMPREYS AND FISHES OF INDIANA. 197 



moderate size and inferior, the lips with numerous papillte. Eye small, 

 its diameter in the length of the head six and one-half times. Snout 

 nearly one-half the length of the head. Dorsal fin long ; its rays twenty- 

 eight to thirty; the most anterior lengthened. Anal, seven or eight. 

 Pectorals and ventrals falcate. Scales, 10-56-7. General color dusky, 

 each scale with a dark spot and a light border. Males nearly or quite 

 black above. Fins livid blue. May reach a length of two and one-half 

 feet. 



Rather common in the streams of the Mississippi Valley. Has been 

 reported in Indiana from AV abash River, in Vigo County ( ?5, '88, 55), 

 and Brookville, Franklin County (5, No. 2, 4j ; Ohio River (17, XVII, 

 456). This species has the reputation of being a much better food fish 

 than the other suckers. 



Family CYPRINID.E. 

 MINNOWS. 



Body varying from terete and slender to deep and compressed ; mouth 

 various in form, toothless, its upper margin formed by the preraaxillaries 

 alone. Barbels sometimes present. Teeth on the lower pharyngeal bones, 

 usually not more than seven on each side, these arranged in one, two, or 

 rarely three series. Dorsal fin with not more than ten rays, except in 

 some introduced species. 



A family containing a large number of species, and represented in both 

 the Old and the New Worlds. Most of the species are small and incon- 

 spicuous, and of no direct economic value. In most waters, however, 

 they abound in great numbers and furnish food for the larger fishes. 

 The Cyprinidse- are interesting fishes on many accounts. Many of the 

 species, especially during the breeding season, assume the most brilliant 

 and beautiful colors, while parts of their bodies become covered with 

 hard prickles and warts. 



In order to determine the species of Cyprinidix? it is often necessary to 

 examine the air bladder, the iutestines, and the pharyngeal teeth, as well 

 as the external structures. The pharyngeal bones may be extracted by 

 inserting a hook or the head of a pin just behind the last gill. After 

 cleansing away the flesh the teeth may be counted. Any missing teeth 

 may be determined from the stumps or from holes in the bone. Some 

 of the teeth may be hooked; in some there is a masticatory surface, a flat, 

 or concave surface, just below the hook. 



From Dr. Jordan's " Manual of Vertebrates," edition of 1888, I have 

 prepared the following modified 



