516 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



According to Dr Meek it is common at each end of Cayuga 

 lake, but is not found in the streams at the southern end above 

 the falls. The species was obtained in small numbers by the 

 writer in Bronx river in August, 1897. Eugene Smith has 

 obtained it in tidal creeks where the water is impure but not 

 saline. It is recorded from streams of Long Island. 



The tessellated darter grows to the length of 3^ inches. It is 

 a near relative of the Johnny darter, Boleosoma nigrum 

 of Rafinesque. In captivity Eugene Smith has found it delicate, 

 able to live only in water of low temperature and not deep 

 unless in circulation. In balanced tanks it thrives and feeds 

 freely on minced clam, Gammarus, and earthworms, the last 

 to be used only occasionally. 



De Kay observed it usually at the bottom of clear springs or 

 streams, lying for a while perfectly still near the bottom, and 

 then suddenly darting off with great velocity at its prey, a habit 

 from which is derived its name of darter. He mentions also 

 the name grand-wanchee, applied to it in New York by the de- 

 scendants of the Dutch colonists, but this name is not satis- 

 factorily explained. 



The best account of the movements of the fish is given by 

 Zadock Thompson in his History of Vermont. He noted its power 

 of bending its neck and moving its head without moving the 

 bodv, a verv unusual facultv among fishes. 



Genus etheostoma Rafinesque 

 Body robust, or rather elongate, compressed; mouth terminal, 

 or subinferior, varying in size; the lower jaw included or pro- 

 jecting; premaxillaries not protractile; maxillary movable; 

 teeth rather strong, usually present on vomer and palatines; 

 j,'ill iiicnibranes separate or more or less broadly connected; 

 scales moderate or small, ctenoid, top of head without scales, 

 scales of the middle line of the belly persistent and similar to 

 iIk' ollirrs; lateral line well dcA'eloped, nearly straight, often 

 wanting jtostcriorly ; fins large, with strong spines, first dorsal 

 usually longer iiiid larger than the second, with seven to 15 

 spines; anal with two strong spines, the anterior usually the 



