BLIND PISH. 



453 



The carps {Cyprinus), shiners and minnows abound every- 

 ■where in the Northern States in ponds and weedy streams. The 

 breeding habits of the 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 

 Tvhieh are dropped over the eggs, until layer after layer alter- 





nately of eggs and pel)bles are deposited, when a heap is 

 foi'mcd, the young hatching out and remaining among the 

 pebbles until old enough to venture out into the stream. 

 The dace is closely allied to the chub {Semoiilus rJiotheus 

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

 Catosfomidce) of which Catustomus teres Lesueur is an ex- 

 ample. 



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



Fig. 414. — Mad-Minnow. — From Abbot. 



adjoining wells connecting with subterranean streams, are 

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

 sequently of coloi'. There are but two species, the mure 

 common and larger being AviMyopsis spelmus De Ktiy; this 

 species is viviparous, liepreseniiug the family Umbridm is 

 the mud-minnow (Melanui-a limi Kirt., Fig. 414). 



The flying-fish represent another family. Their pectoral 

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



