Fishes of Massachusetts. 413 
The Ventrals are quite small, the color of the ab- 
domen ; commencing on a line with the extremities 
of the pectorals. 
The Anal fin the color of the ventrals ; length to 
height as 1 to 3. 
The Caudal fin is yellowish ; length to height as 
1 to 3. 
The fin rays are: D. 12; P. 18; V. 6; A. 12; 
rI. 
H. ornata. Le Sueur. The ornamented Minnow. 
Journal Academy Nat. Sciences, vol. i. p. 131. 
This species of Hydrargira, very common about 
the salt marshes in the vicinity of Boston, I suppose 
to be a variety of the “ornata” of Le Sueur. It. 
may be taken in large numbers with small hand 
nets. Iam not aware that it is often made use of ; 
but I have seen a flock of the domestic duck swal- 
lowing it with the greatest avidity, when thrown to 
them in quantities, in the same manner as grain. 
The specimen before me is three inches in length. 
Back dark brown; sides lighter; beneath white. 
Back depressed ; sides, in some specimens, of a beau- 
tiful metallic tint, giving the appearance of an indis- 
tinctly defined yellow band. Length of the head, 
three quarters of an inch; flattened above; gape of 
the mouth moderate; teeth in the jaws small and 
sharp; the lower jaw curves upwards. Eyes of 
moderate size ; irides yellowish ; the circle immedi- 
ately — the pupil, a bright yellow. Pre- 
