854 FISHES — CYPRINID^, 



lateral line decurved ; doraal moderate, inserted directly oyer ventrals in the young, 

 thrown somewhat backward in the adult by the growth of the post-occipital region ; pec- 

 torals barely or not reaching ventrals, the latter aboat to yent ; region in front of the 

 dorsal typically with about a3 scales ; coloration dark steel-blue above, the scales 

 with dusky edges, the bases also dusky ; a, gilt line along the back and one along each 

 side, these distinct only when the fish is in the water ; belly and lower part of the sides 

 silvery, or bright rosy in spring males ; dorsal fin somewhat dusky, the other fins plain, 

 the lower fins all rasy in spring males ; head dark above ; a dark shade behind scapula; 

 lower jaw and region in front of dorsal to the tip of the snout covered with small tuber- 

 cles in spring mates ; females and young fisbes are plain olivaceous above and silvery 

 below; head 4J; depth 3J, varying much with age; D. 8 ; A. 9 ; scales C-4I-3; teeth 

 2. 4-4, 2 with rather narrow grinding surface. 



This species is extremely variable and several varieties have been Indicated by name by 

 Professor Cope. Il: is, however, unnecesjary to describe them here. Length, 5 to 8 

 inches. 



Habita*^, in all waters east of the Great Plains, except in the South Altantic States 

 (wanting in streams between the Neuse and the Alabama), everywhere the most 

 abundant iish. 



Diagnosis. — The adult Shiner may be known at once by the dispro- 

 portionately great depth of the scales on' the sides, the exposed portions 

 being very much higher than long. The young can only be distin- 

 guiehed from certain species of Minnilus, Hudsonius, etc., hy cenefnldis- 

 crimination. 



Habits. — In every permanent stream in Ohio, this is the most abundant 

 fish. In all small brooks, and in quiet places in every river, the young 

 will be found in myriads, and a good part of the food of the Black Bass 

 and other predacious species is formed by this fish. It reaches a consid- 

 erable size, but is scarcely used as food except by pot fishers and boys. 

 The flesh is soft and very soon spoils after death, hence the name Rot- 

 ten gut or Rot-gut Minnow, frequently given to it in the South, 



Genus 36. ERICYMBA. Cope. 



Ericymba, Copk, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1865, 88. 



Type, Erioymba iuceata, Cope. 



Etymology, eri, an intensive particle ; tcuviba, a cavity, in allusion to the mncons 

 channel. 



Body oblong, moderately compressed ; muzzle broad ; interopercU and bones of the man- 

 dible wilh externally visible mucous chambers largely developed ; lips thin ; no barbels ; teeth 

 1, 4-4, 0, without grinding_8nrface, hooked, the edges entire; scales rather large; lat- 

 eral line continuous; dorsal fin above ventrals; anal basis short; silvery fishes of 

 rather small size ; known at once from all other minnows by the cavernous bones of the 

 head. Bat a single species is now known. 



