238 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
VII.— THE WAPSIPINICON RIVER. 
The Wapsipinicon is the next river of importance north and east of the Cedar 
River and has the same general trend. It also closely resembles the Cedar Kiver in 
physical characteristics, but is only one-half to two-thirds as large. At Independence 
the current is about as strong as in the Cedar River at Cedar Rapids. The bottom is 
rocky just below the dam, but farther down becomes sandy. Our collections were 
made on sandy bottom. At Anamosa the river is larger and deeper, the current more 
moderate, and the bottom is sandy and muddy. At the time of our visit the water 
was too high to permit of seining in the main river, and our collections at this point 
were obtained in a tributary called Buffalo River. The latter is a moderately large 
creek, about 30 to 50 feet wide, with sandy and muddy bottom, the depth seldom 
exceeding 4 feet. The smaller fishes (minnows) were very abundant. Minnow Creek 
is a small brook, flowing into Buffalo Creek ; it has a rocky and sandy bottom, with 
much grass ; only a few fishes were found in it and they were combined with those 
obtained from Buffalo River. Rot far from Buffalo River there is a small bayou which is 
connected with it at times of high water; in this bayou young sunfishes (L. pallidus) 
were very abundant. At Wheatland the bottom of the river is very sandy, and in a 
few places near where it was visited it was shallow enough to permit <5f fording. Sev- 
eral bayous near the river were also examined. 
FISHES OF THE WAPSIPINICON RIVER. 
1. Lepisosteus osseus (Linnaeus). Common gar-pike; Long-nosed gar; Bill-fish. Wheatland, com- 
mon in bayous. A few specimens were also taken in the river. 
2. Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque). Channel cat; White cat; Silver cat. Wheatland, common in 
the river. All the specimens were small. 
3. Ameiurus nebulosus (Le Sueur). Common catfish. Independence, common in bayous. Anal 
rays, 22. 
4. Ameiurus melas (Rafinesque). Bullhead. Wheatland, very abundant in bayous ; Independence, 
abundant in bayous ; Anamosa, common. 
5. Ictiobus cyprinella (Cuv. and Yal.). Bed-mouthed buffalo. Wheatland, common in bayous. 
6. Carpiodes velifer (Rafinesque). Quillback; Carp sucker. Wheatland, abundant in bayous and 
common in the river. Independence, common ; dorsal rays, 23 to 27. Anamosa, common ; 
scales, 36; the specimens taken were- all small. 
7. Catostomus teres (Mitchill). Common sucker. Wheatland, a few specimens from bayous aud 
creek. Anamosa, abundant. Scales, 63 to 65. 
8. Catostomus nigricans Le Sueur. Hog sucker; Stone-roller; Hog mullet. Independence, common; 
Anamosa, not common. Scales, 54. 
9. Moxostoma duquesnei (Le Sueur). Common redhorse; Mullet. Wheatland, Independence, and 
Anamosa, not common. At Independence, dorsal rays, 14; scales, 40 to 43. At Anamosa, 
scales, 54. 
10. Hybognathus nuchalis Agassiz. Silvery minnow. Wheatland, abundant; Independence, rare. 
11. Hybognathus nubila (Forbes). Anamosa, common. Scales, 36 to 38; eye, 3 iu bead; about 13 
scales before dorsal fin. 
12. Pimephales promelas Rafinesque. Fat-head. Wheatland, rare ; Independence, rare, taken only 
in the slough. 
13. Pimephales notatus (Rafinesque). Blunt-nosed minnow. Anamosa, abundant; Wheatland, not 
common; Independence, rare. 
