HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 31 



Etheostoma Olmstedi, Ground-fish, Linsley, Cat. of Fishes of Conn. 



" " Storer, Mem. of Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 271 



" " Storer, Synopsis, p. 19. 



Boleosoma Olmstedi, Agassiz, Lake Superior, p. 304. 



Color. Yellowish-green, with blackish blotches upon the sides like interrupted 

 bands. A large dark-brown blotch is seen upon the occiput, and back of this, upon 

 the dorsum, six broad similarly colored transverse bands ; the first, just over the pec- 

 torals ; the second, at the anterior portion of the first dorsal ; the third, between the 

 first and second dorsal ; the fourth, at the middle of the second dorsal ; the fifth, at 

 the termination of the second dorsal ; and the sixth, at the base of the tail. These 

 bands all usually disappear at death. Pupils black, irides golden. A narrow deep-black 

 band runs from the tip of the upper jaw to the anterior superior angle of the eye, and 

 a second band passes upwards from the lower anterior angle of the preoperculum to the 

 middle of the lower edge of the eye, and thence to the upper edge of the orbit, inter- 

 rupted by the globe of the eye. The preoperculum is golden. The first dorsal is 

 almost colorless ; the rays of the second dorsal, as well as those of the pectorals, ventrals, 

 and caudal, are elegantly crossed transversely by reddish lines. 



Description. Form cylindrical. The head is less than one sixth the length of the 

 body ; it is flattened above, between, and back of the eyes. The operculum is scaly 

 above, and terminates posteriorly in a sharp spine. Jaws furnished with very minute 

 teeth. The orbits of the eyes are very prominent. 



The first dorsal fin commences some distance back of the opercular spine ; it is 

 rounded posteriorly. 



The second dorsal, of a quadrangular form, commences just posterior to the first ; 

 the extremities of its rays bifurcated. 



The pectorals are situated just back of the posterior portion of the opercula. Their 

 length is equal to one fifth their height. 



The ventrals are situated just back of the base of the pectorals. 



The anal arises just posterior to the commencement of the second dorsal ; it is 

 rounded at its extremity. 



The caudal is slightly emarginated. 



The fin rays are as follows : — D. 9 - 13. P. 15. V. 6. A. 1 1. C. 15. Length 

 three inches. 



Remarks. This species is not uncommon in the small streams of the western 

 portion of the State. 



Massachusetts, Storer. Connecticut, Olmsted, Ayres. New York, Dekay. 

 Pennsylvania, Haldeman. 



