206 PKOCEEDiNGS OF THE [May, 1888. 



Mk. F. W. Schlepegeell made some very interesting statements concern- 

 ing his observations of the manner of reproduction of the minnow. 



As a result of his investigation of the subject, Mr. Schlepegrell was satisfied 

 that the common Fresh "Water Minnow, Leudscus pMxinus, Cuviek, which is 

 moderately abundant in fresh water ponds and branches in the neighborhood 

 of Charleston, is ovo-viviparous. He was now closely observing this delop- 

 ment in specimens of the species in an aquarium at his residence and would 

 at some subsequent meeting allude futher to the deeply interesting and impor- 

 tant fact. 



Db. Manigault stated that a friend of his, who had kept an aquarium 

 stocked with several varieties of fi-esh water fishes, had ended by retailing 

 only one, the habits of which he observed for several years. It had not to his 

 knowledge been 'scientifically described, but could be mentioned as a minnow 

 which inhabits fresh water ponds in the vicinity of Charleston, and is usually 

 seen near the mosses growing in their bottoms. The length of the adult female 

 is one and a quarter inches, the male being half the size. The lateral and ver- 

 tical measurements of the female at the largest part of the body is one quarter 

 of an inch. The female is of a brownish color, with vertical bars where the 

 mottling is intensifi^. The dorsal and anal fins have a rounded profile, with 

 a black spot in the centre, and red edg(iS, In the male, only the dorsal fin has 

 these pecuHarities. 



In an aquarium containing other fishes, the movements of this little one are 

 graceful and fearless. When in danger it darts front side to side with such 

 rapidity that the eye. cannot follow it ^ one was never seen to be captured by 

 other fishes. The period of gestation is 15 days and the number of young 

 usually from three to five. If the parent is not well supplied with food she 

 will devour her young immediately after birth. In a couple of days these 

 acquire sufficient strength to be safe from attack. During the spring months 

 a brood will be born every 15 days. 



Mb. ScHLEPEGEELii Suggested that the fish spoken of by Dr. Manigault was 

 probably not a minnow, but a i^eculiar, small species of perch. 



Mr. Wm. G. Mazyck mentioned that in 1866 Prof. F. B. Holmes, who was 

 at that time Curator of the Maseum of the CoEege of Charleston, had shown 

 him alcoholic specimens of foetal sharks with the umbilical cord and placental 

 attachment intact, as when Prof. Holmes had himself removed them from the 

 body of the parent. 



