304 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
June 23. — Walnut Creek again, but further up stream. Three top minnows were found in a shallow 
mud-hole in the meadows. All the rest came from a long "lake hole” connected with the creek, a 
small stream flowing through it. This hole is about 150 yards long, with an average width of 20 feet. 
The bottom is of a soft mud, in some places 2 feet deep. The water will average waist-deep, and is 
warm. Pike and mullets [Erimyzon sucetta ] were plentiful, while perch occurred in greater numbers 
than found anywhere previously; large shiners were common, but many were injured by contact 
with other fish and trash in the net and hy gilling themselves in the meshes. None of the small, 
round-bodied shiners was taken ; all seemed to he of the “ shad roach” type [ Notemigonus crysoleucas]. 
Fourteen specimens of “mudfish” [Umbra pygmeea], the only specimens of the species we have 
ever taken, were obtained from a ditch hack from Walnut Creek in an open meadow. This ditch 
is 3 or 4 feet wide and 3 feet deep, including a layer of soft mud about 1 foot, thick. The surrounding 
meadow is springy and marshy, the water is not stagnant, though it is not connected with the creek 
except in times of freshets. In this ditch were also found pike [ Lucius vermiculatus ] and several species 
of sunfish and shiners. In a pond near hy, which has a muddy bottom but a constant stream flowing 
through it, were found “white perch” [Pomoxis spar aides'], pike, and “mullets” [ Erimyzon sucetta ]. 
June 27. — Collecting done in Neuse River, Walnut Creek — about the last mile before joining the 
river — and neighboring mud-holes. The gar [ Lepisosteus osseus ] came from the river ; all the darters 
were taken in the creek, in swift shallow water, with gravel or sand bottom. Black bass came from a 
mud-hole connected with the creek only at quite high water. Water in it was shallow and warm and 
mud quite deep. Most of the fork-tailed cats [Ameiuru s catus ] came from a mud-hole, slio ti lder-deep 
in places, connected with the river during freshets. This hole is fed by a small spring and the 
water is very cold (comparatively). We have on former occasions taken a small barred or spotted 
cat from this place, but could find none this time. Most of the other specimens came from the river 
with the exception of some few shiners, cats, redhorses, and sunfish found in the creek and holes. 
All darters, shiners, and small cats taken were preserved ; likewise the only flounder. One other gar 
and black bass were caught. 
Several species of turtle and terrapin were abundant in the places fished, and many were caught. 
No “snappers” caught, although they are found in these places. Bonnet lilies grow in some of the 
mud-holes, and marsh grasses grow around the edges in the shallower parts of others. Well-grown 
bullfrogs often come up in the seine, also other frogs. 
The total number of species contained in the collection is 30, distributed among 
12 families and 23 genera, as follows : Lepisosteidse, 1; Siluridte, 3; Catostomidse, 3; 
Cyprinidse, 6 ; Pcecilikhe, 1 ; Esocidte, 2 ; Anguillidae, 1 ; Umbridte, 1; Apliredoderidae, 
1; Oentrarcliidie, 8; Percidse, 2; and Pleuronecthhe, 1. 
Or, as to genera: Lepisosteus, 1; Ameiurus, 2; Noturus, 1; Erimyzon, 1; Mox- 
ostoma, 2; Notemigonus, 1; Notropis, 2; Hybopsis, 1; Semotilus, 1; Hybognatlms, 
1; Gambusia, 1; Lucius, 2; Anguilla, 1; Umbra, 1; Aphredoderus, 1; Pomoxis, 1; 
Clwenobryttus, 1; Acantharcbus, 1; Enneacauthus, 1; Lepomis, 3; Micropterus, 1; 
Etheostoma, 2; Achirus, 1. 
It will be noticed that almost half of the species belong in the two families, the 
Oentrarchkbe and the Cyprinkke. 
The following is a list of the species of fishes which the collection contains: 
1. Lepisosteus osseirs (Linnaeus). Gar. One small specimen, 13 inches long. 
2. Ameiurus natalis (Le Sueur). Yelloiv Cat. Very abundant; nearly 100 specimens, 11 to inches 
long. 
3. Ameiurus catus (Linnaeus). 
Amiurus niveiventris Cope, Proc. Am. Philos. Soc. 1870, 486. Type locality, Neuse River, N. C. 
Fourteen specimens, agreeing well with the original description of Professor Cope. Body not 
slender; head not narrow, its width If in its length; base of anal equal to length of head, or 
4 in total length; length of humeral spine about half that of pectoral .spine, but variable. 
Dorsal inserted midway between snout and adipose fin. A. 20. 
4. Noturus insignis (Richardson). Five specimens, 4 to 5 inches long. 
5. Erimyzon sucetta (Laccpede). “Mullet”; Clmb Sucker. Five specimens. Called “mullet” hy 
the collectors. Scales, 44 to 46. 
