284 REPORT OF NEW JERSEY STATE MUSEUM. 



pale olivaceous-brown, latter darker marginally. Lower surface 

 of body with pale light mottlings. Iris umber. Length i inch. 

 These fish were found in the sphagnum of the Wading River, 

 near Speedwell. 



Though they appeared rather small in the Wading River, those 

 taken in small bodies of water and in the ditches were some- 

 times quite large. They generally struggled a little when first 

 captured, after which they soon died. It is beautiful in its more 

 or less sombre colors, and is a very characteristic inhabitant of 

 the cedar-stained streams. Many examples were examined from 

 Cedar Swamp Creek, pools at the head of the Egg Harbor River, 

 and pool Tolsoms. I found them abundant in the sphagnum of 

 the Great Egg Harbor River above May's Landing. They were 

 not found in clear or open places, but preferred the concealment 

 of the sphagnum shores. It was only by grouping about in such 

 places with a dip-net that they were secured. They do not swim 

 boldly about the open places or small channels, like the Mesogo- 

 nistius, but seem altogether more retiring. Their coloration is 

 admirably adapted to further their protection. When captured 

 in a dip-net they frequently struggle a short interval very rapidly, 

 especially flapping the tail from side to side, then remaining per- 

 fectly quiet, only to repeat this performance again and soon 

 expire. 



Dr. Abbott was foniierly under the impression that this spe- 

 cies was the male Bnneacanthus gloriosus. All the numerous 

 examples which he dissected were found to contain milt, while all 

 of the examples of gloriosus contained ova. Lpon recent investi- 

 gation I find that both the ohcsiis and gloriosus forms are cer- 

 tainly two distinct species, as both milt and roe have been found 

 in examples of each. Dr. Abbott also tells me that he has found 

 spotted males very abundant at Trenton, but only during the fore 

 part of the year, while the females may be obtained any time. 

 The description by Dr. Bean, based on an example collected at 

 Beesley's Point, does not refer to the type of this species. The 

 type will be found to have been taken in ^Massachusetts and de- 

 scribed, apparently previous to Baird's account, by Girard. 



Pomotis obesus Baird, 9th An. Rep. Smiths. Inst., 1854. p. 324. 



Bryffis obesus Abbott, Geol. X. J., 1868, p. 807. 



