20 FISHES OF THE CONNECTICUT LAKES. 
KEY TO SPECIES. 
The following key, although not wholly satisfactory, will be found 
helpful in identifying the species included in the following list. It 
is arranged on the alternative plan, and i to be used in the following 
manner: 
Trace the characters of the specimens with what is said under each 
succeeding letter, until there is a disagreement, or the name of the 
fish is reached. When a disparity occurs, go to the double of the 
letter under which it occurs, thence proceed as before until another 
disagreement or a name is found, and so on. 
Example: We have, say, the brown trout and it is not recognized. 
Compare it with statement a. It does not agree, having 2 fins on the 
back. Turn to aa. Two fins on the back agrees; go then to m, where 
the statement also agrees. mn agrees also; 0 does not; but 00 does; 
likewise p and g. 7 does not, since the outer ventral rays of our 
specimen are white, and the red spots are surrounded with a light blue 
areola. 
Turn to 77, which agrees. The presence of red spots places it in @, 
with which it agrees, and the name follows. 
a. One fin on the back. 
b. Ventrals or belly fins present; body not especially elongate, vertical fins 
(dorsal and anal) not meeting around the tail. 
ec. Lips thick, provided with small rounded elevations or papille. 
d. Snout long; scales comparatively small, about 104__LONGNOSE SUCKER. 
dd. Snout not very long; scales larger, about 67__---_~- COMMON SUCKER. 
cc. Lips not especially thick and without papille. 
e. Scales very small and inconspicuous. 
f. Lateral line, or line of pores along side, incomplete; mouth ter- 
minal, oblique. 
g. Two -dark stripes) alone, sides 22s REDBELLIED MINNOW. 
gg: Onevrdark ‘stripecaloneasi0602 =e BRONZE MINNOW. 
ff. Lateral line complete; mouth somewhat inferior and horizontal. 
h. Snout long and prominent, projecting notably beyond the 
mouth; dark stripe along side if present not especially 
Gistinetss.2 2-2 Bee ee ee LONGNOSE DACE. 
hh. Snout moderate, projecting but little beyond mouth; a 
distinct black Vateral) stnpes BLACKNOSE DACE, 
ee. Scales larger and conspicuous. 
i. Mouth large, with bands of sharp teeth; dorsal or back fin 
situated »posterionrly222223) 2534 ese eee PICKEREL. 
ii. Mouth not especially large; no teeth; back fin not placed 
posteriorly. 
j. Breast or forward paired fins (pectorals) not reaching 
nearly to ventrals. 
k. No black spot at base of dorsal fin in front; scales not 
small and not crowded on front part of body__CHUR. 
kk. Black spot at base of dorsal in front; scales smaller 
and crowded on fore part of body------ Mup CHUusB. 
