72 



f. Scales about 60; soft dorsal of 10 or 11 rays E. lOW.c 



fF. Scales 47 to 55; soft dorsal with 12 to U rays; lateral line almost complete. 



E. JESSI.*;. 



ee. Cheeks naked; opercles scaled E. C(ERULEUM. 



dd. Humeral region with a distinct black t rocess or scale. 



fX- Scales in about 50 rliaeronal row.; lateral line developed on less than 30 scales. 



h. Cheeks naked: opercles scaly E. TIPPECANOE. 



hh. Clieeks anfl opercles naked E. OBEVEX.SE. 



gg. Scales in al)Out 60 fliaponal rows; lateral line almost complete K. squa.miceps. 



cc. <jill ineml)ranes joining^ broadly across the isthmus in a eentle curve (no angles 

 body slender; head pointed; lower jaw projecting; first dorsal in males with 

 fleshy knobs on ends of spines in breeding season E. FLABELLARE. 



EtJirostntna zovale (Cope). 



Readily distinguished from other darters of this genus by the broad connection of the 

 branchiostegal membranes across the isthmus. Body in spring with bands of greenish, 

 which become bluish in later summer. 



By far the greater number of our collectif)ns of thi^ .species come from streams north of 

 the upper course of the Illinois River, including the Rock River basin. In addition we have 

 one collection from the Little Fox River in White county, a few from streams in Woodford 

 county, and some from the Vermillion River and tributaries in Livingston and LaSalle 

 counties. 



Etheostoma carnurum (Cope). — Blue-breasted Darter. 



Highly colored, ' 'perhaps the prettiest of fresh-water fishes.'" 



Early collections of this species appear from Peoria, from Union count>' and from the 

 Saline and lower AN'abash basins. A darter which belonged apparently to this species, taken 

 more recently by Mr. J. P. Bauer, of the U. S. Fish Commission, from a pond near Naples, 

 111., was brought into the laboratory at Meredosia and inadvertently lost before the prelim- 

 inary identification could be verified. 



EthcoNtt))na ioiinr Jordan & Meek. 



The males of this species are strikingly marked on the sides and on the spinous dorsal 

 with dark brown and rust-red. The females are plainer, with olive bands, and bear sorrie 

 resemblance to the females of the rainbow darter. 



From Pistakee Lake; Green River at Geneseo; Pecumsaugum Creek in LaSaUe county ; 

 Salt Creek, Lincoln; Little Fox River, White county; and E. Dutchman's Creek, Vienna. 

 Quite abundant in Pecumsaugum Creek. 



Ethcustonui Jesskc (Jordan & lirayton). 



A quite common darter, of brown color, with a curved band of orange-red on the spinous 

 dorsal. 



The common darter of large sluggish streams; not found north of the Illinois basin and 

 not common in southern Illinois, expcept in the south portion of the Wabash basin. 



Etheostrmia cxvrulciitn .Storer. — Blue Darter: Rainbow Darter. Soldier flsh. 



The males are strikingly marked with red and blue, which colors appear in bands on the 

 sides and on the dorsal fin. The femals are plainer, with drab and olive bands. Body 

 quite thick and deep; head large. Common throughout the State. 



Ethcostoma tippecanoc Jordan A Everniann. 



A few specimens have been pro\ isionally referred to this species, but are questionable. 



Ethctisttmut (ilicycnsc Kii-seh. 



Several specimens have been found in Hardin county which correspond to descriptions 

 of this Kentucky species. 



Et)ienst(t)H(t s(}U<unifeps .Jordan. 



This fish is much like the next in general appearance, with head of similar form and of 

 brownish ct)lor. The body is much lieavicr than is common among darters. 



Taken in H\ e localities in Hardin county, and once near Anna, in I'nion count>-. 



, EthaMomd fiahcUdre Rafinesque. 



Body long; lower jaw projecting; mouth large. Color decidedly brownish; males with 

 an orange-colored spinous dorsal, the spines of which are tipped with fiesky knobs: fins in 

 both sexes large and barred with lilack in delicate pattern. .Nortliern specimens have the 

 color on the sides arranged in parallel lines of brown, and are know n as variety //«a>/(J/w>w 

 (Agassiz). 



This species is taken occasionally from creeks and small liversinall parts of the State 



Bolcichthys fasifoDuis (Girard). (366) 



A fine-appearing little fish. Body deep anteriorly; caudal peduncle slender; profile 

 much (lecurvetl; lateral line not reaching further bac"k than second dorsal, placed high, 

 and parallel with tlie lines of the back. Rnre. but widely distributed. 



Mirropcrat ptnictiildtd Putnam. — Least Darter. (1^68) 



A tiny fish, among the smallest of the vertebrates: commonly not more than an inch in 

 length and ordinarily escaping tlie collector. Known from ;ill other darters by the absence 

 of the lateral line. 



Most freiiuently taken fri>m the lakes and' streams of northeastern Illinois. Taken also 

 from Mackinaw Creek in Woodford county, Skillet Fork in Wa:-ne county, and Drury Creek 

 in Union county. 



