HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 127 



Remarks. This species, which is known under the name of " Barbel " and *' Chub 

 Sucker," is found in many of the ponds throughout the State. 



Massachusetts, Lesueur, Storer. New Hampshire, Connecticut, New Jersey, 

 Dekay. Pennsylvania, Lesueur. 



FAMILY XIII. CYPRINODONTIDiE. 



The mouth is constructed upon the same plan as in the Cyprinidse ; but there are 

 teeth upon the jaws. Instead of a pharyngeal arch, bearing recurved and hooked 

 teeth, the Cyprinodonts have the surface of the posterior portion of the hyoidal 

 apparatus paved with short teeth ; and opposite to the latter, in the back part of the 

 roof of the mouth, there are patches of velvet-like teeth. There are neither vomerine 

 nor palatine teeth. The upper surface of the head is generally covered with scales to 

 the tip of the snout. The dorsal fin, in most instances, is situated upon the posterior 

 half of the body, and opposite the anal fin. 



GENUS I. FUNDULUS, Lacep. 



Upper surface of head, structure of mouth, and maxillary teeth similar to the same 

 parts in Hydrargyra. Lower pharyngeal teeth sub-conical, more slender than in the 

 latter. Branchial rays five on either side. Dorsal similarly opposed to the anal. 

 Caudal posteriorly rounded. Upper surface and sides of head covered with scales as 

 in Hydrargyra. 



The genera Fundulus and Hydrargyra are closely allied. The chief differences are, 

 a more flattened head in Hydrargyra, giving it some resemblance to Pcecilia or 

 Molinesia ; six branchial rays instead of five ; the pharyngeal teeth shorter and 

 stouter, with a more conspicuous crown. Finally, the caudal is sub-truncated 

 posteriorly, instead of being rounded as in Fundulus, — a character, however, of minor 

 importance, since we find in the same family genera including species with a rounded, 

 and others with a truncated, caudal fin. 



