l6 FISHES OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 



pounds apiece, and contained 14 macrolepidotnm, 36 aureolum; 

 of the 50 the lateral line of one contained 45 scales; of one, 46; 

 of twelve, 42, and the rest 43; otherwise essentially as described 

 in the manual. 



When first taken in a seine, young Moxostomce are usually plain 

 silvery, but if kept for a while in an aquarium they will show dark 

 colored bands very similar to those on Catostomus nigricans. 



25. Placopliarynx carinatvxs Cope. Big-jawed 



Sucker, 



[Jord. Man. 85. O. St. Surv. 48.] 



Measurements for this species are the same as for Moxostoma 

 macrolepidotum, but the body seems more compressed and the out- 

 lines have different curves, so that the fish, once recognized, can 

 be told from other mullets at sight. In those examined the out- 

 line of the lower lip is straighter than in other mullets, but the fish 

 can only be surely identified by examining the lower pharyngeal 

 bones which are large and broad, with (8-14) thick, roundish teeth, 

 instead of many thin, flat ones. Length 2 feet. 



Lake Erie. Common among other mullets. 



Family VIIL CYPRINIDiE The Minnows. 



Minnows have scaleless heads, rather thin lips, are never sucker- 

 mouthed. Not more than ten rays in the single dorsal fin; anal fin 

 short, scales on the body smooth, and mouth toothless. Most of 

 the species are small, but two or three grow to be quite sizable, 

 one at least sometimes attaining a length of a foot. (See plate 3.) 



Among the Minnows are some of our most beautiful fishes. 

 In the spring, especially, some of the species are gorgeous in reds, 

 yellows, and silver, and ornamental tubercles often give the little 

 fellows a truly fantastic appearance. 



From an economical point of view they are chiefly valuable 

 as furnishing green pasturage for larger .species. Minnows form 

 our largest family of fishes, and in some casses it is very difficult 

 to discriminate between the species: "in the young it may be im- 

 possible" (Jordan). 



Intestines more than four times the length of body. 



26. Campostoiua anonialvim (Rafinesque). Steel- 

 backed Minnow. 



[Jord. Man. 87. O. St. Surv. 50.] 



A rather dark colored little fish, with squarish looking scales. 



