UMBRIDJE. 01. 253 



anal bright orange; D. 14; A. 15; lat. 1. 44; length 6 

 inches. Tenn. R.; one of the handsomest of the family. 

 Tt probably does not belong to this genus, but it is equally 

 unlike Fundulm^ Hydrargyra and Pcecilia, to all of 

 which genera it has been referred. 



FAMILY CI. UMBRIDJ3. 



(The Mud Minnows) 



Small fishes like the Cyprinodonts in most respects, 

 but with the mouth different; margin of upper jaw 

 formed by the intermaxillaries mesially and by the max- 

 illaries laterally; head and body scaly; no lateral line; 

 scales moderate, cycloid; lower jaw longest; dorsal far 

 .back; caudal fin rounded; gill openings wide; teeth 

 villiform on jaws, vomer and palatines. Genus one (or 

 two) ; (Melanura has never been properly distinguished 

 from Umbra); species two, Umbra crameri of Austria 

 and the following. Both are found in sluggish brooks 

 in mud or among weeds. " A locality which, with the 

 water perfectly clear, will appear destitute of fish, will 

 perhaps yield a number of mud fish 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 tad- 

 poles, may thus be found filled with Melanuras" 

 (Baird.) 



1. MELANURA, Agassiz. MUD MINNOWS. 



< Umbra, Giinther. 



1. M. limi, (Kirtland) Agassiz. MUD MINNOW. MUD 

 DACE. DOG FISH. Depth about 4 in length; head 3J; 

 head rather large, flattish above ; greenish or dark olive ; 

 sides with narrow pale bars, often obscure; a distinct 

 black bar at base of caudal; D. 14; A. 9; V. 6; lat. 1. 



