BLIND FISH. 



453 



The cari>s (Cyjjrinns), shiners and minnows abound eveiy- 

 whore in the Northorn States in ponds and weedy streams. The 

 breeding habits of tlie dace {Rhiniclithys atronasus Mitchill) 

 have been observed by Dr. Gregg. Tlie females spawn over 

 "nests" or shallow depressions two feet in diameter in run- 

 ning brooks about a foot deep ; the male passes over the 

 eggs fertilizing them ; then the pair bring small pebbles 



which 



'1 



vlil layer after layer alter- 



Fig. iVi.—Nf^ochantia.—Yrom Liitkcn. 



nately of eggs and pebbles are deposited, when a heap is 

 formed, the young hatching out and remaining among the 

 pebbles until ohi enough to venture out into the stream. 

 The dace is closely allied to the chub {Semofilns rhotheus 

 Cope, Fig. 415). Succeeding them are the suckers (family 

 Catosfomida') of which Catostomus teres Lesueur is an ex- 

 ample. 



The blind fish of the Mammoth and other caves, and of 



414.— Mud-Minnow. — From Abbot. 



adjoining wells connecting with subterranean streams, are 

 remarkable for the rudimentary state of the eyes, and con- 

 sequently of color. There are several species, the most 

 common and largest being Amilyopsis spelmns De Kay ; this 

 species is vivii^arous. Kepresenting the family Umbridm is 

 the mud-minnow {Melanura limi Kirt., Fig. 414). 



The flying-fish represent another family. Their pectoral 

 fins are very broad and large. They dart from the water 



