172 A NATURALIST IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION 



proportion to their size so that there are less than 40 in any one 

 of the rows running the length of the body. The Cayuga minnow 

 is about 2.5 inches long, oHvaceous in color. The scales of the 

 lateral line are each marked with a crescentic black area, thus 



Fig. 184. — The common pike, Esox lucius, one-eighth natural size 



breaking the lateral line into a series of crossbars. The common 

 shiner (Fig. 185) has more than eight rays in the ventral fins. 

 The dorsal fin is either directly over or slightly in front of the 

 ventrals. The color of the fish is olivace- 

 ous, silvery below; the males, however, in 

 spring have the sides a rich salmon pink, 

 and in summer the oHvaceous has a steel- 

 blue luster. 



The first plant to invade these ponds 

 is usually the chara, an alga with its 



\4L^ ■■ 



Fig. 185 Fig. i86 



Figs. 185, 186: Fig. 185. — The shiner, Xotropis atherinoides, one-half natural 



size; Fig. 186. — Chara, reduced one-half. 



• 



smaller branches whorled (Fig. 186). It fastens itself to the 

 bottom and grows up in a perfect tangle of green. This plant 

 thrives best in the undrained ponds, but still is found in 

 those with some connection with the lake. It contains in 

 its tissues much silica so that it feels harsh when crushed 

 in the hand, and when pulled out of the pond it has a rank 



