SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 89 



Fear; Evermann & Cox report it as excessively abundant in the vicinity of 

 Raleigh, especially in meadow ditches and isolated ponds and pools. It is 

 everywhere abundant in the Albemarle region, being caught in large numbers 

 in pound nets and seines during the shad season. Jordan's specimens are referred 

 to the southern variety bosci, characterized by larger scales and more numer- 

 ous anal rays, but some of the Albemarle Sound fish represent the typical form. 

 The largest example obtained by the writer in Pasquotank River in April, 1902, 

 was 7.75 inches long in spawning condition, with ventral fins crimson in color, 

 anal dull orange at base with a black margin; in other specimens the lower fins 

 were yellow; dorsal rays 7 or 8, anal rays 14 or 15, scales 45 to 50 in lateral 

 line, 13 in crosswise series. Fish from Roanoke River had 13 or 14 anal rays 

 and 50 scales in lateral series. 



The roach has a number of common names in North Carolina; all of those 

 shown above are in use in the Albemarle region except "shad roach", which 

 is employed at Raleigh. The fish reaches a fair size for a minnow, the maxi- 

 mum length being 1 foot; it is often caught by anglers, and is used for home con- 

 sumption, but has no commercial importance. 



Genus NOTROPIS Rafinesque. Minnows and Shiners. 



A very numerous genus or group of small fishes, abundant in fresh waters 

 all over the eastern and central sections of the United States, some species 

 found also in Canada and Mexico. The species are very similar, variable, and 

 difficult to distinguish. For identification, reliance must be placed chiefly on 

 the teeth and scales, but even these are variable parts. Body elongate, sub- 

 cylindrical or compressed, abdomen always rounded; mouth usually terminal, 

 sometimes slightly inferior; scales comparatively large; lateral line present, 

 usually continuous; fins short, dorsal located over or posterior to ventrals; 

 pharyngeal teeth in 1 or 2 rows, the larger row always containing four teeth 

 on each side, hooked and with a narrow surface for grinding or with sharp cut- 

 ting edge; colors usually plain, males in spring becoming gaily pigmented in 

 some species. 



These fish are usually regarded as the young of other fishes, and are so 

 small and inconspicuous that they have rarely received any distinctive com- 

 rhon names, all being known as minnows or shiners. They have no value as 

 human food, but are enormously important as food for game fishes. 



Represented in North Carolina by 22 known species, 3 of which are pecu- 

 liar to the state; the key applies to typical specimens and must be used with 

 caution and discrimination. 



Key to the North Carolina species of Notropis. 



i. Teeth 4 — i, 1,4 — 4,0, or 1,4 — 4,1 (rarely 2 teeth in minor rows). 

 a. Scales not closely overlapped and not especially deeper than long; dorsal fin over ventrals; 

 anal rays 7 to 9; no black spot on dorsal fin; scales large, less than 40 in lateral series; 

 12 to 15 before dorsal; depth not more than .25.1ength. 

 6. Teeth 4 — 4, well hooked; species very small. 



c. Base of caudal without black spot (except in very young) procne. 



cc. Base of caudal with a distinct black spot spectrunculics. 



