64 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
inhabiting the shallow inshore waters, and many species that could otherwise have 
been taken do not, therefore, appear in the list. During the first visit, which extended 
from June 30 to July 6, the only means of capture was a small dip net with an impro- 
vised handle — an instrument of necessarily limited usefulness in such work. On the 
occasion of the second visit, which occupied one day, August 11, a 25-foot Baird seine 
was employed with satisfactory results. 
The smaller species included in the list were secured in a series of brackish ponds 
on St. George Island, or in St. George River, an arm of the Potomac which separates 
the island from the mainland. Complete series of most of these were preserved. The 
larger fishes which are enumerated were taken with a line or in pound nets in the 
Potomac River adjaicent to the island. Two specimens obtained in this locality in 
August, 1887, which were not observed in 1890, are also included. The names by 
which the fish are known among the local fishermen are given in quotation marks. 
Although the collection was made in a hurried and unsystematic manner, and 
represents only a very small proportion of the fishes occurring in the region, the visit 
was not wholly lacking in scientific results, which emphasize the desirability of under- 
taking further investigations of the ichthyology of this river. Most of the species 
obtained possess no unusual interest. In a few cases, however, it has been possible 
to fully describe and figure for the first time the appearance of young individuals of 
certain common fishes; and, in another well-known species, an apparently hitherto 
unrecognized sexual distinction is recorded. The most interesting and important 
feature of the collection was the finding of a small fish ( Zygonectes lucice ) first described 
nearly forty years ago by the late Prof. Baird, and up to this time known only by his 
description, the type specimens apparently having been lost. 
Ten figures, representing seven species, accompany this article, viz : Zygonectes 
lucice , male; Fundulus majalis , young; Fundulus diaphanus , male and female; Fun- 
dulus heteroclitus , male; Gyprinodon variegatus , male and young; Gambusia patruelis , 
female; Menidia beryllina ; and Paralichthys dentatus. Some of these have never 
before been figured. 
1, Brevoortia tyrannus (Latrobe). “Ellwife”; “Oldwife”; “Alewife"; Menhaden. 
Large bodies of menhaden often ascend the Potomac River for a distance of 30 
miles, and the vessel fishermen from Fairport not infrequently make good hauls off 
St. George Island. Schools of young fish swimming in serpentine shape can be seen 
breaking the surface of the inshore waters throughout the summer. All of a large 
number of young fish (about 2 or 3 inches long) examined were affected with a mouth 
parasite ( Cymothoa prcegustator). Occasionally, during periods of excessively dry 
weather, scattered schools of menhaden ascend the river as far as Mount Vernon, 
where the species is called “ bugfish” by. the fishermen. 
2. Cyprinodon variegatus Lac. “ Sheepshead minnow” ; Variegated minnow ; Short minnow. (Pl.xvm.) 
Although inhabiting the same waters as Fundulus , the variegated minnow does 
not appear to associate with the members of that genus. In small ditches communi- 
cating with the St. George River at high tide the movements and habits of the fish 
were studied with ease and profit. They were extremely shy and could not be taken 
with a dip net, however skillfully manipulated. In the pond of brackish water else- 
where referred to they occurred in great abundance, and numerous species of both 
