FaMII-Y Am1!I,V()|'SII).K ('I'lIK r>l,l.M) FiSII Ks). 



Chohmastcr pttpiHifii'iis Forbes. 



The eyes of these fishes are imperfect, and they otht-rvv. ise show relationships with the 

 hUml fishes of the caves, which have not yet hceii taken in Illinois. 



Taken only from a sprint: under a l)hitT of the Mississippi river west of Cohden, 111. 

 These fishes ha\e heen obtained by only two or three collectors. Mr. K. H. Korbes, the most 

 recent collector, seciired about two dozen specimens, which he was able to dip up from 

 among the rocks with a tin cuji. 



F.V.MII.V (i.VSTKIIOSTKlD.K (TllK SriCKI-Kll.Vf'Ks). 



Eiiealia inconsUms (Kirtland). — Krook Stickleback. 



A northern form, not common in Illinois; has been taken from a spring fed slough of 

 Indian creek near Wedron, in LaSalle county. 



Family Pkijcopsid.e (Tiik Tkout Pkkciiks). 



Pcrci)))sis (luttdtiis (Ao-assiz). — Trout Perch: Sand-roller. 



This peculiar tish is no doubt frequently overlooked by inexperienced collectors, who 

 mistake it for a minnow. Its small adipose fin will distinguish it from all other scaly fishes 

 common in Illinois except the whitefishes, from which it differs in the form of the body and 

 in tiie spiny rays of the dorsal, anal and ventral fins. The sides are marked with round dusky 

 spots; color otherwise pale 



Found in Lake Michigan, and in the Illinois river from Ottawa to Metedosia, Not very 

 common. 



Family Apiiukdoi)ki!II).k (Tiik Pikati: Pkuciiks.) 



^lihredodenis .sai/aiiH.s- (Gilliams). — Pirate Perch. 



This fish, like the last, is freciuently overlooked by collectors because of its superficial 

 resemblance to the sunfishes; called "half breeds" by a boy who thought them a cross 

 between sunfisb and minnows. Head broader than in the sunfishes; dorsal spine but three or 

 four in number; vent in adults in front of the ventral fin. 



Taken in ninety-two collections from muddy pools throughout the State. 



Family Athekinid.e (The Silverside.s). 



Lnhiflcstlics ftimiliiK (Cope). — Brook Silverside: Skipjack. 



.V slender, silvery fish, commonly mistaken by unobserving fishermen for a minnow. 

 The small tuft-like spinous doisal fin with foiT rays; soft dorsal with eleven rays; anal elongate 

 consisting of a s[)ine and twenty-three soft rays. The form of the mouth is peculiar, being 

 prolonged into a sort of beak, the lower jaw curved downward. 



Abundant near the shores of larger streams and lakes, and frequentlj' taken from the 

 gras.sy parts of prairie creeks. Generally distributed over the State. 



Family Elassomid.k (Thk Puj.my Suxfisiiks). 



Elassorim zonatiim Jordan. — Pigmy Stinfish. 



A tiny sunfish-like fish without a lateral line and with only 4 or .") dorsal spines; on the 

 sides II dark vertical bands; beneath the dorsal a black spot, and at the base of the caudal a 

 blackish bar. 



Ifi'rom five Illinois localities, all in the southern part of the State, as follows; Drew pond, 

 White county; .S\Aan pt)nd. St. Francisville; Little Fox river, Phillipstown; Wabash river, 

 Wabash station; and Running lake, Union county. 



Family Centk.^hchid.e (The Sunfi.'^he.'^.) 

 key to illinois genera of centrarchid.e. 



a. Dorsal and anal fins nearly equal in size. 



b. Dorsal spines ."> to 8 PoMOXis. 



bb. Dorsal spines 11 or 12 Centrarchus. 



aa. Dorsal fin much larger than anal. 



c. Body short and deep; der)th usually more than 2-5 of length. 



d. Anal spines (5 Ambloplitks. 



dd. Anal spines 3. 



e. Tongue and pterygoids with teeth; mouth large; depth 2-5 to 1-2 of length. 



CHvENOBRYTXrS. 



ee. Tongue and pterygoids toothless; depth about 2-5 of length. 



Apo>H)TIS, EiPO.MOTis, and Lepo.mis 



CO. Body elongate; depth 1-3 of length; dorsal fin low, with ID spines; deep emar- 



gination at juncture of soft and si)inous dt)rsals; mouth large. . . MicROPTERL'S. 



