7 -A REPORT UPON THE FISHES OF IOWA, BASED UPON OBSERVATIONS 
AND COLLECTIONS MADE DURING 1889, 1890, AND 1891. 
BY SETH EUGENE MEEK. 
INTRODUCTION. 
In August, 1881, Dr. David S. Jordan, now of Palo Alto, California, accompanied 
by the writer, made a collection of fishes in the southern part of Iowa in the interest 
of the IT. S. Fish Commission and the U. S. National Museum. This was practically 
the first step taken toward a comprehensive study of the ichthyological features of 
Iowa. The work was not, however, resumed until 1 889, when, under the direction of 
the U. S. Fish Commissioner, the writer began an exhaustive examination of all the 
streams and lakes within the borders of the State. This investigation was continued 
until July, 1891, and the present paper is based upon the collections and observations 
made during that period of about two and a half years. 
In the conduct of my field work I have been placed under many obligations to Mr. 
C. J. Ives, president of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railroad, and to 
Mr. Joseph White, superintendent of the water supply of the same corporation, for 
special facilities in the way of transportation and for other favors, which have enabled 
me to extend my studies beyond the limit of means at my disposal. Valuable assist- 
ance has been received from Prof. R. E. Call, of Des Moines; from Prof. Osborn, of 
Ames, and from Prof. C. C. Nutting, of Iowa City, who have also obtained for me the 
privilege of examining the collections of fishes belonging to the respective institutions 
with which they are connected. I am also greatly indebted to Mr. B. F. Shaw, for- 
merly State fish commissioner, and to Dr. DavidS. Jordan andProf. Charles H. Gilbert, 
the latter especially for their kind assistance in regard to the identification of rare 
and difficult species. Prof. Percy B. Burnett, of Lincoln, Nebraska, and my students, 
Mr. W. T. Jackson and Mr. E. P. Boynton, have rendered efficient services in connec- 
tion with the field expeditions, the first mentioned having accompanied me during 
much of the summer of 1890. 
Iowa has a comparatively level surface over its entire extent, being nowhere trav- 
ersed by mountain ranges and having no pronounced hills except in the northeastern 
part. In this corner of the State the hills and cliffs sometimes attain an elevation of 
over 300 feet above the general level of the surrounding country, but being products 
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