46 



There are in the United States more than fifty species of 

 small fresh water fishes, (and in the Ohio waters more than six- 

 teen species) commonly called Minnies, Minnews, Bait-fish, 

 CJiuhs, and Shiners, which should belong to the genus Cy/irL 

 nus of Linneus, or rather to the part of it which has been call- 

 ed Leuciscus by Klein and Cuvicr; which subgenus (or genus) 

 is distinguished by a small dorsal fin, no spines nor beards; 

 but as the genus Cyfirin'us forms now a large family, and 

 veen the genus Leuciscus must be divided, since it contains 

 more than one hundred anomalous species, differing in the po- 

 sition of the dorsal fin and the vent, the number of rays to the 

 abdominal fins, &c, I venture to propose this and the three 

 fol'owing genera. Three other different genera might be es- 

 tablished upon ihe European species, distinguished as follow: 

 Dobula. Dorsal fin nearer to the tail, abdominal fins witli 

 nine rays and an appendage: upper javv longer. 



Phoxinus differs by ten abdominal rays and no appendage. 

 Alburnus differs from Dobula by no appendage and the 

 lower jaw longer. 



Besides my genus Hemifilus, (Annals of nature,) which has 

 the vent posterior, the lower jaw longer, only five rays and an 

 appendage to the abdominal fins. 



All these small fish are permanent; they feed on worms, in- 

 sects, univalve shells, and spawn; they bite at a small hook, 

 baited with worms or flies, and they form an excellent bait for 

 all the larger fish which feed upon them. They are good to 

 cat when fried. 



^ 36th Species. Slender Minnv. Minulus dinemus. Min- 

 ny emeraude. 



Diameter one eighth of total length, silvery, back olivaceous 

 with a brown longitudinal stripe in the middle: two lateral 

 lines, one straight, the lower curved downwards and shorter: 

 head gilt and green above. Dorsal fin 9 rays. Anal fin 12 rays. 

 \ A small and slender species, common in the Ohio, 8cc. and 

 going in flocks; length two or three inches. Its head is beau- 

 tiful when alive: it is above of a fine gold colour with green 

 shades, becoming of an emerald green above the eyes. Iris 

 silvery: sid.es opaque, upper lateral line gold-green. Nostrilg 



