366 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



as base of pectoral and partly below them; nostrils superior, well 

 separated, the anterior with a slight tube; vent close in front of 

 anal ; dorsal inserted at some distance from the head, confluent 

 with the anal around the tail; pectoral well developed; distance 

 from front of dorsal to vent 1.16 to 2 in head; pectoral 2.83 to 

 3.4 in head ; head 2 to 2.5 in trunk. Form rather robust. Brown, 

 nearly plain, often tinged with yellowish ; paler below, the color 

 extremely variable. Length 4 or 5 feet. 



34. MUD MINNOW 



UMBRA LIMI (Kirtland) 



(Plate 17) 



The Mud Minnow is a common fish from Quebec to Minnesota 

 and southward to the Ohio valley ; it is especially abundant north- 

 ward throughout the Great Lakes region in weedy streams and 

 ditches and in the smaller muddy lakes. At Lake Maxinkuckee it 

 is fairly abundant in Norris Inlet, Aubeenaubee Creek, Culver 

 Inlet, in the Outlet above Lost Lake, and in the small ponds in 

 Green's marsh. Specimens were also secured in Lost Lake and its 

 outlet. It delights to dwell in small creeks, ditches or ponds where 

 the water is cool, the bottom muddy and aquatic vegetation abund- 

 ant. There were a good many in a ditch two miles or so west of the 

 lake. Mud minnows were frequently seen under the clear ice in the 

 Inlet and in the ponds in Green's marsh, and they were quite active 

 during the winter. 



Professor Baird says of this species that "A locality which, 

 with the water perfectly clear will appear destitute of fish, will 

 perhaps yield a number of mudfish on stirring up the mud at the 

 bottom and drawing a seine through it. Ditches in the prairies 

 of Wisconsin or mere bog-holes, apparently affording lodgment to 

 nothing beyond tadpoles may thus be found filled with Umbras." 

 The same remarks apply equally well to such places in northern 

 Indiana. The little streams, ponds and ditches everywhere are 

 apt to have the Mud Minnow as one of their inhabitants. The 

 abandoned Wabash and Erie Canal is a favorite place for this fish, 

 and old mill-races that have grown full of Myriophyllum, Cera- 

 tophyllum and other aquatic plants are sure to be the home of this 

 species. 



One of the writers recalls many visits to the old Dillen mill- 

 race and the cold, boggy Armstrong pond near Camden, Indiana, 

 many years ago, when he had his first experiences with this curi- 

 ous fish. The race was literally filled with ditch moss (Philotria 



