390 RAMBLES ABOUT HOME. 



confined to it. They are known scientifically as the 

 Cyprinodonts, or toothed minnows. 



I have gathered four well-marked species, but detect- 

 ed no differences in their habits. They are all social, 

 carnivorous, restless, diurnal, running-water fishes, and 

 seem to have no other duty in the plan of creation than 

 to feed on minute mollusca and insect larvae, and to hold 

 themselves in readiness to be eaten by larger fishes, and 

 by the king-fishers, the herons, bitterns, and other birds. 



One of the four species, the common barred minnow, 

 is of a more restless disposition than the others, and wan- 

 ders as far from tide-water as it is possible to go. I 

 know of no more earnest explorer among our many fishes. 

 "Wherever there is an inch of moderately clear water, 

 there the barred minnow will be found. Only perpen- 

 dicular falls of a foot or more in height, or constantly 

 muddied waters, obstruct their course. Ordinary rapids, 

 as where the water rushes madly over or about large 

 rocks, do not prevent their onward progress ; and often, 

 early in the spring, I have seen them leap several inches 

 up a fall that was nearly or quite perpendicular. 



In general appearance quite like the carnivorous or 

 toothed minnows just mentioned, is an abundant species 

 that frequents only the quiet muddy ditches, mostly be- 

 yond the reach of the tides. This is the mud-minnow. 

 It is a small fish, seldom being found of a greater length 

 than three inches ; but has been known to reach nearly 

 twice that size. Such large specimens, however, are ex- 

 ceedingly rare. 



In calling this fish the mud-minnow, it must not be 

 supposed for a moment that they are sluggish, slow- 

 moving creatures. On the contrary, they are as active as 

 other minnows, and, being possessed of greater strength, 

 can pass through soft mud with as much ease as other 



