10 



observation at the ponds and in other locations where the top- 

 minnows were liberated later that they thrived best in shallow, 

 standing water at a temperature ranging from 76 0 to 82 0 F. 

 The fish show no inclination to go out to sea and avoid the 

 deep water, lessening the probability of their being eaten by 

 the larger predaceous fish. 



They have multiplied rapidly and from the few hundred 

 introduced, several hundred thousand have been bred and dis- 

 tributed. -Where the}^ occur they effectively clear the water 

 of the mosquito iarvae, feeding likewise on the egg-masses of 

 Culcx pipicns on the surface. In the absence of mosquito larvae 

 or eggs the top-minnows feed upon the smaller aquatic insects 

 of other species, as the nymphs of the water boatman, Corixa 

 blackbunii, eating also various small insects that fall into the 

 water and are drowned. In an aquarium the larger fish have 

 been observed making way with the very small of their own 

 kind in the absence of other food. 



Under the direction of the writer, the Territorial Board of 

 Health has made the following distribution of the top-min- 

 nows from the funds appropriated for their introduction and 

 distribution by the Legislature : 



Island of Oahu : Honolulu and vicinity generally, Aiea, 

 Pearl City, Waialua, Maunawai. Wahiawa and Waimanalo. 



Island of Hawaii : Hilo and vicinity, and Paauhau. 



Island of Maui: Kahului, Wailuku and Lahaina- 



Island of Molokai: Kalaupapa. 



Island of Kauai: Lihue, Eleeie, and Waimea. 



