FISHES or MINNESOTA 29 



lateral Hue decurved. Head coutained 4^ to 5 times iu the length 

 of the body. Eye 4 in head. Dorsal fin with 8 rays. xVnal 7. 

 Scales large, 5-38-4. Length 4 to 7 inches. This fish can always 

 be distinguished by its long intestine, if not from its general ap- 

 pearance. It is probably common in the southern part of the state 

 but rare in the northern part. Specimens have been taken at sev- 

 eral places on the Upper Mississippi and in Minnehaha Creek, Min- 

 neapolis, rare (Nat. Hist. Surv., 1892-3-5); in the streams and lakes 

 in the vicinity of Mankato, common (Cox, 1891-5). 



Genus PIMEPHALES Kafinesque. 



KEY TO THE SPECIES OF PIMEPHALES. 



A. Lateral line generally incomplete; body short. . . . pronielas. 



AA. Lateral line complete; body more elongate. .... iiotatus. 



Plinephales promelas Rafinesque. Flat-head. Black-headed Minnow. 



First ray of the dorsal fin large and blunt in the adult males. 

 Intestine long, more than twice the length of the body; teeth 4-4; 

 lateral line incomplete or wanting. Body rather short and heavy; 

 head short, contained 4 times in the length of the body, much 

 rounded in the adult male; mouth small. Color of the immature 

 and females, olivaceous; dorsal fin with a black bar across it, this 

 not very distinct in the young. Mature males vary from bluish 

 to black in color; snout with tubercles. Dorsal rays I, 8. Anal 

 7. Scales 7-43 to 47-6. Length 2-J inches. Common everywhere 

 in both lakes and streams. Specimens have been recorded from 

 almost every lake and stream in the state where collections have 

 been made, and it is so common that specific notes on its distribu- 

 tion are here omitted. It is often found with the next. 

 Pimepliales uotatlis (Rafinesque). Blunt-nosed Minnow. 



First ray of the dorsal fin distinct and spine-like iu the adult 

 male; intestine, teeth and snout same as in P. promelas. Lateral 

 line complete. Body slightly elongate; head moderate, top de- 

 pressed, mouth small. Fins small. Color olivaceous, sides bluish, 

 a black spot on the front of the base of the dorsal fin; the base of 

 the caudal dusky; the fins sometimes tinged with red. Adult male 

 in the breeding season with very much more black and with tuber- 

 cles on the black, round snout. Head 4^. Dorsal rays I, 8. Anal 

 7. Scales G-45-4. Teeth 4-4. Length 4 inches. Abundant in Min- 

 nesota and often found with P. promelas. Specimens have been 

 recorded from all parts of the state where collections have been 

 made. Very common, especially in small brooks and pools. 



