158 REPORT OF NEW JERSEY STATE MUSEUM. 



secured it at Ocean City, on August 19th, 1906, where it was 

 common. Their belHes turn red after being placed in alcohol. 



Common in fresh and brackish water of Fishing Creek, where 

 it flows over the beach, May 5th, 1907. Also in New England 

 Creek at Higbee's Beach, in the still ponds, especially where there 

 is rotting vegetable matter forming a deep black ooze on the 

 bottom. In such stinking places these little fish swarm by the 

 thousands. They were not brilliantly colored by October 6th, 

 1907, being only their usual white and lead-colored shades. 

 Young also abundant. 



Gambusia gracilis (Heckel). 



Plate 66. 



Top Minnow. 



Head 3^ ; depth 3^/7 ; D. i, 6, i ; A. iii,, 7, i ; P. i, 11 ; V. 1,5; 

 scales 30 in a lateral count from gill-opening above to base of 

 caudal and 2 more on latter; 22 scales between tip of snout and 

 origin of dorsal; 11 scales obliquely up and back from origin 

 of anal to that of dorsal ; 7 scales in a lateral oblique series on 

 side of caudal peduncle; width of head i^ in its length; depth 

 of head at occiput about 1}^ ; mandible 2^^^ ; first branched dor- 

 sal ray 1^/7; first branched anal ray 1-/7; caudal i ; least depth 

 of caudal peduncle 2 ; pectoral i Vs ; ventral 2 ; snout 3 in head 

 measured from tip of upper jaw ; eye 3 ; maxillary 2?^ ; inter- 

 orbital space i}i. Body elongate, well compressed, greatest 

 depth a trifle before origin of ventral, upper profile a little more 

 evenly though less convex than lower, edges of body rounded, 

 and general contour rather elongately ovoid. Caudal peduncle 

 long, well compressed, and its least depth iH in its length. 

 Head moderately small, greatly depressed and broadened above, 

 so that upper profile is a little concave anteriorly and less inclined 

 than lower. Lower profile suddenly ascending anteriorly, this 

 due to rather evenly convex profile of mandible. Snout short, 

 depressed^ greatly, its length about Vt its width, and profile as 

 viewed from above rather broadly convex. Eye circular, nearly 

 impinging on upper profile, and its center veiT slightly before 

 middle in its length. Mouth superiorly terminal, protruding 



