260 FISHES. 



peduncle slender; vent much nearer snout than tip of 

 caudal; D. IV I, 10; A. I, 10. Cayuga L., N. ., 

 dredged in deep water (Wilder). Probably this and the 

 preceding are varieties of the variable E. inconstans. 

 Length IJ inches. 



4. PYGOSTEUS, Brevoort. MAXY-SPINED STICKLEBACK. 



1. P. occidentalis, (C. & V.) Brevoort. TEX-SPIXED 

 STICKLEBACK. Coastwise, abundant; sometimes ascend- 

 ing streams. 



Var. nebulosus, (Ag.) Jordan. MANY - SPIXED LAKE 

 STICKLEBACK. Head 3.} in length; ventral spine long; 

 caudal keeled; sides not mailed; silvery, much clouded 

 with olive; D. IX 10; A. I, 8. Great Lakes (not 

 distinct from preceding except in its fresh-water habits.) 



2. P. mainensis, (Storer) Brev. MAINE STICKLEBACK. 

 Sides with a serrated plate; body banded; D. VII I, 9; 

 A. 1, 8. Kennebec R., Maine. 



SUB-ORDEE.-PEECESOCES. 



(The Silver sides.) 



FAMILY XCIX.-ATHERINID/E. 



(The Silver sides.) 



Body elongated, more or less compressed, covered 

 with rather small cycloid scales; sides with a bright 

 distinct silvery band in all known species; dorsal spines 

 flexible and feeble; teeth small, numerous. Small, car- 

 nivorous fishes of warm regions, usually swimming in 

 schools near the shore; a few species in permanently 

 fresh water. Genera about five; species forty -five. 



