BRIEF NOTES ON FISHES. 409 



but a small proportion is really fertilized and sinks into 

 the sand, and is left undisturbed while the growth of the 

 embryo progresses. 



"While I am satisfied that this is true of many of our 

 cyprinoids, if not the most of them, I am equally positive 

 that it is not true of the rosy chub. These, certainly, are 

 mated until the ova are deposited and fertilized, as I have 

 mentioned. 



There is yet another chub that I find in the same 

 neighborhood, but the two are not associated in small 

 streams. It has so happened that wherever I find the 

 one, I never find the other. Why they will not associate 

 I do not know ; but when I have taken one each of these 

 two species, and placed them in an aquarium, I have 

 never seen any evidence of mutual dislike on their parts. 



It has seemed to me that these comparatively dull- 

 colored chub are less particular as to the localities they 

 frequent, and can thrive fairly well in quiet and warm 

 waters. I have never found them in still-water ponds, 

 but so frequently in streams with but little current that 

 the change to a pond would not be a violent one. Like 

 the rosy chub, this plainer species, which is readily rec- 

 ognized by its smaller scales and black spot on the dorsal 

 fin, grows to a large size, and is therefore of some value 

 as food. Early in the year, particularly, the flesh is 

 firm and well flavored, and I have often thought that it 

 might be cultivated to advantage. Both species are car- 

 nivorous, but, as their food-supply is largely composed of 

 insects and minute mollusca, the difficulty of feeding 

 them, when placed in artificial ponds, would not be great. 



There is but one brook within the limits of my ram- 

 bles wherein occur the beautiful red-fins, and even here 



18 



