388 Johnny Darters. [June, 
say it does not have, and then lay it away with the rest of my 
treasures in the bottle of alcohol. 3 
We find Percina usually in rapid and rather deep water, as 
deep as we dare wade in when seining in hip boots. We rarely 
find them small enough for ordinary aquarium purposes, and the 
living specimen before me, though wonderfully quick and grace- 
ful, has shown little that is noteworthy, save his courage, love of 
angleworms, and a possible disposition to bury himself, in the 
sand. ‘There is something in the expression of his face, as he 
rests on his “ hands and feet” on a stone, remarkably lizard-like, 
reminding me of the blue-tailed skink (Eumeces fasciatus). 
We next come to the fine gentleman of the family, the black- 
sided darter (Etheostoma blennioides). This species may be 
known best by its coloration. The ground hue is a salmon yel- 
low ; the back is regularly and beautifully marbled with black, 
forming a peculiar and handsome pattern. On the sides, from 
the head to the tail runs a jet-black band which is widened at ir- 
regular intervals into round spots, which contrast sharply with 
the silvery color of the belly. Or we might say that on each 
side is a chain of confluent, round, black blotches. At times 
these spots are quite pale and do not seem to meet, but in an in- 
stant they regain their original form and shade. These changes 
are when the fish is excited by the presence of things eatable. 
A male in our aquarium underwent almost in an instant an en- 
tire change of pattern upon the introduction of a female fish of 
the same species, whom he recognized as his.true affinity. Al- 
though the two have been together for some weeks, the novelty 
has not yet worn off, and though his colors vary much from one 
hour to another, he has never quite reverted to his original dress. 
The form of the black-sided darter is more graceful than that, — 
of any other, and his movements have less of the angular jerki- 
ness which distinguishes his relatives. 
The dorsal fins, as in Percina, are long and large, the number 
of spines being about fourteen. Etheostoma delights in clear 
running water, and he may be found in most streams south 
west of New York. A notable peculiarity is the presence of a 
row of shields or enlarged scales along the middle line of the 
belly. These may serve to protect that part from the friction of 
the stony bottom. They seem to be shed at some seasons, 
when and why is unknown. o 
Etheostoma is especially desirable for aquaria. He is hardier 
than any other fish as pretty, and prettier than any other a 2 
