Check list of the vertebrates of Ontario and catalogue of specimens in the Biological Section of the Provincial Museum

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FACULTY OF FORESTRY LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Cle ited E

OF THE

Vertebrates of Ontario and Catalogue of
Specimens in the Biological Section

of the Provincial Museum

FISHES

BY C. W. NASH.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
TORONTO.

TORONTO
Printed and Published by L. K. CAMERON, Printer to the King’s Most Excellent Majesty
1908
RESTRY LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
OCT 5 1976

WARWICK BROS & RUTTER, Limited, Pnnters,
TORONTO.

THe HONOURABLE R. A. Pyne, M.D.,

Minister of Education: Epa Sey

BLT ve mis

Sir,—The following déstiptive check list and catglogue of fishes,
has been prepared under yoty ‘authority .and direction by Mr ©] W-
Nash, Lecturer on Biology for “the Ontario: Department of Agriculture.

There is reason to believe, th t. the presentation of these lists will
greatly facilitate the study of anim: L life on. the. part of our people and
especially, of the young, whether they are. pursuing systematic studies
in natural science or merely from a desire to acquire casual information
relating to the subject.

The economic importance of knowledge concerning all forms of
life is especially valuable in this Province, where the great bulk of our
wealth is drawn direct from the hands of nature. Unfortunately too
little attention has been paid to this subject in the past, with the result
that many of our most valuable forms of life are threatened with exter-
mination. This is particularly the case with our fish, many species of
which have entirely disappeared from our waters, while others formerly
so abundant as to have been within the reach of every person are now
luxuries only obtainable by the rich.

Our lakes, with the application of scientific methods, could undoubt-
edly be made to produce an unfailing supply of cheap and wholesome
food. This however, will only be done when those engaged in the fisheries
have a better knowledge of the habits of the fish they capture, and the
general public are more fully informed of the value of this important
national asset.

DAVID BOYLE,

Superintendent.

[3]

Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2007 with funding from
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PRENAC EE

In this work the writer has endeavored to give concise descriptions
of ali the fish known to inhabit the waters of the Province of Ontario.

The classification and sequence of groups adopted is that of Jordan
and Evermann, to whom I am also chiefly indebted for the technical des-
cription.

In the description of species the expressions ‘‘head 4’’ or ‘‘depth 4”’
mean that the length of the head in one case, or the greatest depth of
the body in the other, is contained 4 times in the length of the fish
measured from the tip of the snout to the end of the last caudal vertebra,
the caudal fin being not included. The size of the eye and the length of
snout and other head parts are compared with the length of the side of
the head, unless otherwise stated. ; thus ‘‘eye 5’’ means that the horizon-
tal diameter of the eye is 1-5 the length of the head, ‘‘scales 5-64-7’’
means that there are 5 rows of scales between the base of the dorsal fin
and the lateral line (the scale in the lateral line excluded), 64 oblique tran-
verse series crossing the lateral line and 7 horizontal series between the
lateral line and the base of the anal or the vent.

The fin formule are shortened as much as possible; thus ‘‘D. 10,”’
“D. 1V,°9,” or ““D. VIII-13”” means that in the first case the fish has
a single dorsal fin of 10 soft or articulated rays; in the second case a
single dorsal fin of 4 spines and g soft rays; and the last indicates a fish
with two dorsal fins, the first composed of 8 spines and the second of 13
rays.

Spines are always indicated in roman letters and rays in arabic
letters.

The measurements given are intended to apply to the average of
mature fishes. Young fishes usually have the depth less, the head and eye
larger and the mouth smaller in proportion than adult examples of the
same species.

The coloration and marking of fishes is extremely variable, no two
individuals being exactly alike; and not only so, but each individual
changes its color from time to time in accordance with its surroundings.
All color descriptions as given herein are intended to apply to the normal
adult in its hightest development as found in the waters to which it is
best adapted.

€) WoNASH:

[5]

CHECK EISh

OF THE

FISHES OF ONTARIO.

PISCES (The Fishes).

The Fishes may be defined as cold-blooded vertebrates, adapted for
life in the water, breathing by means of gills attached to bony or
cartilaginous gill arches; having the skull well developed and with a
lower jaw; with limbs present and developed as fins, or rarely wanting
through atrophy; with shoulder girdle present, furcula shaped, curved
forward and with the sides connected below; with pelvic bones present ;
having the exoskeleton developed as scales or bony plates, or horny
appendages, sometimes obsolete, and with the median line of body
with one or more fins composed of cartilaginous rays connected by mem-
brane.

The Lampreys differ so widely from the true fishes, having no jaws,
no limbs and no trace of the bones to which limbs should be hung that
they are properly excluded from consideration as fishes. I have, however,
included them here, as they are popularly believed to be fish and are of
economic importance to our fishery interests from the fact that they
destroy vast numbers of valuable food fish.

[7]

8 CHECK LIST OF THE

Class MARSIPOBRANCHII. (The Lampreys.)

Skeleton cartilaginous; the skull imperfectly developed, not separate
from the vertebral column. No true jaws, no limbs, no shoulder girdle,
no pelvic elements, no ribs. Gills in the form of fixed sacs, without
branchial arches, six or more in number on each side. Nostril single
median, Mouth sub-inferior, suctorial, more or less circular. Heart
without arterial bulb. Alimentary canal straight, simple, without cecal
appendages, pancreas, or spleen. Vertical fins with feeble rays, usually
continuous round the tail. Naked, eel-shaped animals inhabiting cool
waters. They undergo a metamorphosis, the young being often quite
unlike the adult.

Order HYPEROARTII. (The Lampreys.)

Nasal duct a blind sac, not penetrating the palate.

Famity PETROMYZONIDZ. (THE LampREys.)

Body eel-shaped, subcylindrical anteriorly, compressed behind; mouth
nearly circular, armed with horny teeth which rest on papilla; gill open-
ings seven, arranged in a row along the side of the “‘chest’’; lips present,
usually fringed; nostril on top of head, just in front of eyes; dorsal fin
more or less deeply divided by a notch; the posterior part commonly con-
tinuous with the anal around the tail; intestines with a spiral valve; eggs
small.

The Lampreys undergo a metamorphosis, the larve of all species
being toothless and having the eyes rudimentary.

They attach themselves to fishes and feed by scraping off the flesh
with their rasp-like teeth.

Genus ICTHYOMYZON.

Lampreys with the supraoral lamina armed with two or threé separate
teeth, pointed and close together, not forming a crescent-shaped plate;
anterior lingual tooth divided by a median groove. The dorsal fin notched
but not separated into two portions.

LAKE LAMPREY.
Petromyzon marinus unicolor.
Common in Lake Ontario, where it is very destructive to the larger fishes.

C. W.N.

8 CHECK LIST OF THE

Class MARSIPOBRANC™™”

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FamMity PETROMYZONID. (THE LAMPREYS.)

Body eel-shaped, subcylindrical anteriorly, compressed behind ; mouth
nearly circular, armed with horny teeth which rest on papilla; gill open-
ings seven, arranged in a row along the side of the ‘‘chest’’; lips present,
usually fringed; nostril on top of head, just in front of eyes; dorsal fin
more or less deeply divided by a notch; the posterior part commonly con-
tinuous with the anal around the tail; intestines with a spiral valve; eggs
small.

The Lampreys undergo a metamorphosis, the larve of all species
being toothless and having the eyes rudimentary.

They attach themselves to fishes and feed by scraping off the flesh
with their rasp-like teeth.

Genus ICGTHYOMYZON.,

Lampreys with the supraoral lamina armed with two or threé separate
teeth, pointed and close together, not forming a crescent-shaped plate ;
anterior lingual tooth divided by a median groove. The dorsal fin notched
but not separated into two portions.

1. a Ce

FISH OF ONTARIO. 9

(1) Silver Lamprey. Lamper Eel.

(Icthyomyzon concolor.)

Body rather stout, compressed posteriorly. The head is broad and
the buccal disk large, with its edges not conspicuously fringed. The tooth
on the front of the tongue is divided into two parts by a median groove,
and the dorsal fin is continuous but deeply notched. The maxillary tooth
is bicuspid; the teeth on the disk are in about four series and all small.
The tooth-bearing bone of the lower part of the mouth has seven cusps.
There are fifty-one muscular impressions from gills to vent.

Colour bluish silvery, sometimes with blackish mottlings. Above each
gill opening there is a small bluish blotch. Length about twelve inches.

The Silver Lamprey is abundant in the Great Lakes, usually in deep
water, but it runs up the small streams to spawn in the spring. It is a
most destructive parasite on the large commercial fishes, fixing itself to
their bodies by means of its suctorial disk and causing deep ulcerated
wounds at the point of attachment, which very frequently result in death.

When spawning they form nests in the bed of the stream among
cobble stones and pebbles; in these the eggs are deposited, after which
the parent fish all die. After emerging from the eggs the larva burrow
in the mud or sand near the margin of the stream and there remain in
the larval condition, blind and toothless for a long period, sometimes until
they have attained a length of eight inches.

Genus LAMPETRA.

Dorsal fin either notched or divided into two parts, the posterior part
continuous with the anal around the tail; supraoral lamina broad, cres-
centic, with a large obtuse cusp at each end and sometimes a minute
median cusp; lingual teeth small, with a crescentic toothed edge, the
median denticle enlarged; buccal disk small, with few teeth which are
never tricuspid.

The genus Lampetra is best distinguished from Petromyzon by the
structure of its so-called maxillary tooth, which has the form of a crescent
shaped plate with terminal cusps and sometimes an additional median
cusp. In Petromyzon this bony plate is short and contains two or three
teeth which are very closely placed.

10 CHECK LIST OF THE

(2) Brook Lamprey.
(Lampetra wilderi.)

The high dorsal fin is divided into two parts by a deep notch. Several
of the teeth on the side of the buccal disk are bicuspid and the rest simple.
The mandibulary plate is nearly straight and has eight or ten cusps of
nearly equal size. There are sixty-seven muscular impressions from gills
to vent. In the spring a prominent anal papilla is present. The head is
larger than the space occupied by the gill openings. Eyes large. Mouth
moderately small. Lips conspicuously fringed with papilla. The teeth
change considerably with age; young specimens have no median cusp on
the maxillary plate.

Colour, bluish black above; lower parts silvery. Length about eight
inches.

This Lamprey ranges through the Great Lakes region, ascending
small streams in the spring to spawn. It clings to stones and clods of
earth while depositing its ova, and is believed by many persons to die
after spawning.

Like the rest of the family, it is parasitic on other fish.

I am not positive as to the occurrence of this species in our waters,
though I have often taken a small Lamprey in the northern and western
streams of Ontario and in the rivers of Manitoba which I believe to be the
Brook Lamprey.

Class PISCES. (The Fishes.)

The Fishes may be defined as cold-blooded vertebrates adapted for
life in the water, breathing by means of gills which are attached to bony
or cartilaginous gill arches; the gills persistent throughout life; having
the skull well developed and provided with a lower jaw; the limbs present
and developed as fins, rarely wanting through atrophy; shoulder girdle
present, furcula shaped, curved forward below; pelvic bones present ;
exoskeleton developed as scales, bony plates, or horny appendages or
sometimes entirely wanting, and with the median line of body with one or
more fins composed of cartilaginous rays connected by membrane.

Subclass TELEOSTOMI. (True Fishes.)

Skeleton usually bony, sometimes cartilaginous. Skull with sutures;
membrane bones (opercle, preopercle, etc.) present; gill openings a single
slit on each side; gills with their outer edges free, their bases attached to
bony arches, normally four pairs of these, the fifth pair being typically
modified into tooth-bearing lower pharyngeals; median and paired fins
developed, the latter with distinct rays. Ova small. Heart developed,
divided into an auricle, ventricle and arterial bulb. Lungs imperfectly
developed or modified to form a swim bladder or entirely absent.

FISH OF ONTARIO. 11

Under this head are now included the Ganoids and the Teleosts. The
former group is chiefly composed of extinct forms. While many of its
representatives are extremely dissimilar to the bony fishes, there is a
gradual series of transitions, and between the Cycloganoidea of the
Ganoids and the Clupeoids and others of the true Teleosts, the resemblance
is much greater than that between the Cycloganoidea and many other
Ganoids. The Ganoids are in fact the most generalized of the true fishes,
those nearest the stock from which the Teleosts on the one hand and the
Dipnoi, on the other, have sprung.

Series GANOIDEI. (Ganoid Fishes.)

The name Ganoidei was first used by Agassiz for those fishes which
are armed with bony plates, instead of regular cycloid or ctenoid scales.
Later the group has been restricted to those fishes thought to show more
or less reptilian or batrachian affinities, and especially affinities with the
mailed fishes of the Devonian and Carboniferous ages. The group is a
heterogeneous one and one scarcely susceptible of definition. In some of
the Ganoids the air bladder still retains its original function, a lung. The
existence of the solid optic chiasma, the presence of several valves in the
arterial bulb, and of a more or less developed spiral valve in the intestine,
distinguish the living Ganoids from all Teleosts.

Order SELACHOSTOMI. (Paddlefishes.)

Notochord persistent, the division into vertebrae imperfect Meso-
coracoid developed; no symplectic bone; premaxillary forming border of
mouth; no suboperculum, preoperculum, nor interoperculum; mesoptery-
gium distinct ; basihyals and superior ceratohyal not ossified ; interclavicles
present; maxillaries obsolete; branchihyals cartilaginous.

Famity. POLYODONTIDE. (PADDLEFISHES.)

Body fusiform, little compressed, covered with mostly smooth skin.
Snout prolonged, expanded into a thin flat blade, the inner portion formed
by the produced nasal bones, the outer portion with a reticulate bony
framework, the whole somewhat flexible. Mouth broad terminal, but
overhung by the spatulate snout, its border formed by the premaxillaries,
the maxillaries being obsolete; jaws with many fine deciduous teeth; simi-
lar teeth on palatines; no tongue. Spiracles present. Operculum rudi-
mentary, its skin produced behind into a long acute flap; no pseudo-
branchiz, or opercular gill; gills four and one-half; gill rakers long, in a
double series on each arch, the series divided by a broad membrane; gill

12 CHECK LIST OF THE

membranes considerably connected but free from isthmus; a single broad
branchiostegal. No barbels. Nostrils double at base of blade. Lateral
line continuous, its lower margin with short branches. Dorsal fin well
back, of soft rays only; anal similar, rather further back; tail heterocercal,
the lower caudal lobe well developed, so that the fin is nearly equally
forked; sides of the bent portion of the tail armed with small rhombic
plates, caudal fin with fulcra. Pectorals moderate, placed low, ventrals
abdominal, many rayed. Air bladder cellular, not bifid; pyloric ceca) in
the form of a short branching leaf-like organ; intestine with a spiral valve.

GENUS POLYODON. (PADDLEFISHES.)

Gill rakers exceedingly numerous, very slender; spatula broad.
Caudal fulcra thirteen to twenty in number, of moderate size. Characters
otherwise those of the family.

(3) Paddlefish.
(Polyodon spathula.)

The body of the Paddlefish is fusiform, with the snout much produced,
spatulalike. Body scaleless, covered with smooth skin; mouth broad,
terminal; teeth in jaws very numerous and fine; deciduous; spiracles with
a minute barbel. The operculum is rudimentary, its flap of skin long,
reaching almost or quite to the ventral fins; pseudorbanchiz absent; gill
arches five, the last rudimentary; gill rakers long and in a double series
on each arch; gill membranes connected, free from the isthmus; nostrils
double, situated at base of blade; a continuous lateral line from upper part
of head along dorsal outline to tail; eye small; dorsal and anal fins far
back, composed of soft rays, nearly opposite ; tail heterocercal, well forked ;
sides of the bent portions of the tail armed with rhombic plates. The
pectoral fins are of moderate size and placed low; ventrals many rayed,
abdominal.

This peculiar fish cannot well be confounded with any other species
found in North American waters. It takes its name from its remarkable
snout, which is produced into a long spatulalike process, covered with an
intricate network and having very thin flexible edges.

In the Great Lakes the Paddlefish occurs but rarely, its centre of
abundance being the larger streams of the Mississippi Valley; there are,
however, two records of its capture in Ontario waters; one taken near
Sarnia, now mounted and in the Fisheries Museum at Ottawa; the other,
a fine specimen taken at Spanish River, Georgian Bay, in 1886, is also
mounted and in the office of the Bureau of, Fisheries, Toronto.

The flesh of this fish is coarse, but considered by some to be fairly
good for table use. Of its habits little seems to be known, except that
it is somewhat sluggish and prefers water with a muddy bottom. It grows
to a length of five or six feet and specimens in the south have been taken
weighing one hundred and fifty pounds.

FISH OF ONTARIO. 13

Order CHONDROSTEI. (The Sturgeons.)

Notochord persistent, the cartilaginous vertebrae imperfectly devel-
open. A mesocoracoid. No symplectic bone. Maxillary present. No
suboperculum or preoperculum. Interoperculum present. Mesopterygium
distinct. Interclavicles present. Basihyals and superior ceratohyal not
ossified. Branchihyals osseous. This group is composed of the single
family Acipenseride, represented in our Province by one species.

Famity ACIPENSERID.

Body elongate, subcylindrical, armed with five rows of bony bucklers,
each with a median carina which terminates in a spine, which sometimes
becomes obsolete with age; a median dorsal series and a lateral and
abdominal series on each side, the abdominal series sometimes deciduous ;
between these the skin is rough with small irregular plates. Head covered
with bony plates joined by sutures; snout produced, depressed, conical or
subspatulate. Mouth small, inferior, protractile, with thickened lips. No
teeth. Four barbels in a transverse series on the lower side of the snout
in front of the mouth. Eyes small; nostrils large, double, in front of eye.
Gills, four; an accessory opercular gill; gill membranes united to the
isthmus; no branchiostegals. Maxillary distinct from the premaxillary.
Head covered with bony plates united by sutures. Fin rays slender, all
articulated, vertical fins with fulcra. Pectorals placed low; ventrals many
rayed, behind middie of body; dorsal placed posteriorly; anal somewhat
behind it, similar; tail heterocercal, the lower caudal lobe developed, the
upper lobe of the tail covered with rhomboid scales. Air bladder large,
simple, connected with the cesophagus. Pseudobranchiz small or obso-
lete. Stomach without blind sac; intestine with a spiral valve; pancreas
divided into pyloric appendages.

Large fishes, feeding on small animals, sucked in through the tube-
like mouth. Most of the species are migratory.

The changes with age are considerable, the snout in particular becomes
much shorter and less acute and the roughness of the scales is greatly
diminished; the ventral shields sometimes disappear altogether.

Genus ACIPENSER.

Snout subconical, more or less depressed below the level of the fore-
head. A small spiracle over the eye. Caudal peduncle moderately long,
deeper than broad, the rows of bony bucklers distinct to the base of the
caudal fin. Tail not produced into a filament, its tip surrounded by the
caudal rays. Gill rakers small, narrowed or lanceolate. Pseudobranchiz
present.

14 CHECK LIST OF THE

(4) Lake Sturgeon. Rock Sturgeon.
(Acipenser rubicundus. )

Dark olive above; sides paler or reddish often with irregular blackish
spots. Body rather elongate. Snout slender and long in the young,
becoming quite blunt with age. The shields are large, rough, with
strongly hooked spines, becoming later comparatively smooth; ventral
shields growing smaller with age and finally deciduous.

The fishermen make a distinction between the young and the old of
this species, calling the former Rock Sturgeon and the older fish Lake
Sturgeon. There is, however, but one Sturgeon in our waters; the differ-
ence in the size and shape of the snout and in the number and development
of the spines between the immature fish and the adult is sometimes very
great, hence the idea that two species are found.

The Lake Sturgeon is found in the Great Lakes and all the larger
rivers falling into them, and is a food fish of considerable commercial
importance, its flesh being used either fresh or dried and smoked. From
its roe, the delicacy known as caviare is made. This fish attains a large
size, specimens six feet in length and weighing one hundred pounds or
more being not uncommon, though of late years they have decreased
rapidly in both number and size.

The spawning season extends from the end of May to the beginning
of July, during which period the fish run from the lakes up the rivers for
a considerable distance for the purpose of depositing their ova.

Order RHOMBOGANOIDEA. (The Gar Pikes.)

Parietals in contact; pterotic, basis cranii, and anterior vertebre
simple; symplectics present. Mandible with coronoid, angular, articular
and dentary bones; third superior pharyngeal small, lying on fourth, upper
basihyal wanting; maxillary transversely divided. A cartilaginous meso-
coracoid. Vertebrz opisthoccelian, that is, connected by ball and socket
joints, the concavity in each vertebra being behind. Pectoral fins with
mesopterygium and five other basal elements. Tail heterocercal. Air
bladder lung-like, single, connecting with the dorsal side of the cesophagus.

Famity LEPISOSTEIMDAS. “(Gar-PiKEs:)

Body elongate, subcylindrical, covered with hard, rhombic ganoid
scales or plates, which are imbricated in oblique series running downward
and backward. Both jaws more or less elongate, spatulate or beak-like,
the upper jaw projecting beyond the lower; premaxillary forming most of
the margin of the upper jaw; the maxillary transversely divided into several
pieces. Lower jaw composed of as many pieces as in reptiles; coronoid
present. Both jaws with an outer series of small teeth, followed by one

(‘snpunoiqns uasuadwy ) “woesinyg exe]

(‘snasso snajsosida’y) “Ysyaey

FISH OF ONTARIO. 15

or two series of large teeth, besides which on the jaws vomer and palatines
are a series of small, close-set, rasp-like teeth. Large teeth of the jaws
conical in form, pointed and striate, placed at right angles to the jaw.
Pharyngeals with rasp-like teeth. Tongue toothless, short, broad, emar-
ginate, free at tip. External bones of skull very hard and rugose. Eyes
small. Nostrils near the end of the upper jaw. An accessory gill on the
inner side of the opercle. Pseudobranchize present. No spiracles. Gills,
four, a slit behind the fourth. Branchiostegals, three. Gill membranes
somewhat connected, free from the isthmus. Gill rakers very short. Air
bladder cellular, lung-like, somewhat functional. Fins with fulcra; dorsal
fin short, rather high, posterior, nearly opposite the anal, which is similar
in form; tail heterocercal, in the young produced as a filament beyond the
caudal fin; caudal convex; ventrals nearly midway between pectorals and
anal; pectorals and ventrals moderate, few rayed. Stomach not cecal;
pyloric appendages numerous. Spiral valve of intestines rudimentary.
Fresh water fishes of sluggish habits, but voracious and destructive to
smaller fishes. The flesh is tough and rank, useless as food.

These fishes are of much interest from their relationship to extinct
ganoid genera, many of which are placed in this family.

Genus, LEPISOSTEUS. (Gar PiKes.)

Upper jaw with an outer series of small, sharp, even teeth,
then a series of large teeth, some of the anterior row being usually
movable; next comes a series of fine teeth, in one row in front,
becoming a band behind. In some species the inner row of these
teeth contains larger ones; next the vomerine teeth, also in a long band,
and posteriorly a palatine band. These bands on the roof of the mouth are
frequently somewhat confluent or irregular. In young specimens some of
the palatine teeth are often enlarged, these sometimes forming regular
series. Lower jaw with an outer series of small teeth, next a series of large
teeth, next again a broad band of fine teeth on each side. Each of the
large teeth fitting into a depression in the opposite jaw.

SuBGENUS LEPISOSTEUS.

(5) Gar-fish. Gar Pike. Bill-fish.

(Lepisosteus osseus.)

Body elongate, subcylindric. The jaws greatly produced, the upper
being the longer. Teeth in the jaws rather fine, sharp and stiff; a single
inner row of large teeth, and an outer row of small teeth on each side.
The snout is more than twice as long as the rest of the head.

a7 COO Na Ole Vi. Oc ule-e lO. .SCales, (62 stor Os.

16 CHECK LIST OF THE

Colour, greenish above ; the sides silvery and the belly whitish ; numer-
ous round, dark spots on the sides, most distinct posteriorly and most
conspicuous in the young, becoming obscure with age. Very young indi-
viduals have a blackish lateral band. Vertical fins with numerous round
dark spots.

The Gar-fish is generally distributed from the upper St. Lawrence
River through the Great Lakes and their tributaries to the head of Lake
Huron. I have no records from Lake Superior; and it is probably most
abundant in Lake Erie. It is said to attain a length of six feet and may
possibly do so in southern waters, but I have never seen one taken in this
Province which would exceed four feet. As a food fish it is valueless, its
flesh being considered unwholesome. It spawns in late spring or early
summer, running up the larger streams for that purpose.

Suscenus CYLINDROSTEUS.

(6) Short-nosed Gar.
(Lepisosteus platostomus. )

Colour similar to L. osseus, but rather darker; from that species it
may readily be distinguished by its shorter snout, which even in young
specimens does not much exceed the rest of the head in length. Maximum
length, about three feet.

D:, 85 Ax) 8; Ve, 6:2 Scales on lateral lime; about.56:

The Short-nosed Gar occurs sparingly in Lake Erie, its centre of
abundance being in the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys.

Like the common Garfish, it is a voracious, destructive creature and
of no value as a food fish.

Order CYCLOGANOIDEA. (The Bowfins. )

Parietals in contact. Pterotic, basis cranii and anterior vertebra
simple. Mandible with opercular and coronoid. Maxillary not trans-
versely segmented, bordering the mouth. Third superior pharyngeal
lying on enlarged fourth. Upper basihyal wanting. Vertebre amphiccelian
the anterior not modified. Pectoral fins with mesopterygium and eight
other elements. Air bladder cellular and lung-like.

Famity AMIIDAE. (THE BowFimns.)

Body oblong, compressed behind, terete anteriorly. Head subcon-
ical, anteriorly bluntish, slightly depressed, its superficial bones corru-
gated and very hard, scarcely covered by skin. Snout short, rounded;
lateral margins of upper jaw formed by the maxillaries, which are divided

FISH OF ONTARIO. 17

by a longitudinal suture. Jaws nearly even in front; cleft of the mouth
nearly horizontal, extending beyond the small eye; lower jaw broad, the
rami well separated; between them a broad, bony plate, with radiating
stria, its posterior edge free; jaws each with an outer series of conical
teeth, behind which in the lower is a band of rasp-like bands of small
teeth on the vomer and pterygoids; palatines with a series of larger pointed
teeth; premaxillaries not protractile; tongue thick, scarcely free at tip.
Nostrils well separated, the anterior with a short barbel; suborbital very
narrow; a bony plate covering the cheek, similar to the plates on the top
of the head; operculum with a broad dermal border. Branchiostegals ten
to twelve. No pseudobranchie nor opercular gill; no spiracle; gills, four,
a slit behind the fourth; gill membranes not connected; free from the
isthmus. Two peculiar, long, lanceolate obliquely striate appendages on
each side of the isthmus, projecting backward and covered by the branchio-
stegal rays, the anterior wholly adnate to the isthmus, the posterior free
behind. Isthmus scaleless. Gill rakers stoutish, very short. Scales of
moderate size, rather firm, cycloid, with a membranous border. Lateral
line present. Dorsal fin long and low, nearly uniform, the posterior rays
not much higher than the others; its insertion in front of the middle line
of the body, opposite the end of the pectoral. Tail somewhat heterocercal
(more so in the young), convex behind, no fulcra. Anal few, short and
low. Pectoral and ventral fins short and rounded, the ventrals nearer
anal than pectorals. Vertebrae amphiccelian or double concave, as usual
among fishes, none of them specially modified. Abdominal and caudal
parts of the vertebral column subequal. Air bladder cellular, bifid in
front, lung-like, connected by a glottis with the pharynx and capable of
assisting in respiration. Stomach with a blind sac; no pyloric ceca. No
closed oviduct. Intestine with a rudimentary spiral valve.

Only one species of this family is known among living fishes, but
several fossil genera are commonly referred to it.

Genus AMIA. (Bowrins.)

Body oblong, compressed behind, terete anteriorly ; head subconical,
anteriorly bluntish, slightly depressed, its superficial bones corrugated and
very hard, scarcely covered by skin; snout short, rounded; lateral margins
of upper jaw formed by the maxillaries, which are divided by a longitudinal
suture; jaws nearly even in front; cleft of the mouth nearly horizontal,
extending beyond the small eye; lower jaw broad, U-shaped, the rami
well separated; between them a broad, bony plate, with radiating strie,
its posterior edge free; jaws each with an outer series of conical teeth,
behind which in the lower is a band of rasp-like teeth ; bands of small teeth
on the vomer and pterygoids; palatines with a series of larger, pointed
teeth; premaxillaries not protractile; tongue thick, scarcely free at tip;
nostrils well separated, the anterior with a short barbel; suborbital very

18 CHECK LIST OF THE

narrow; a bony plate covering the cheek, similar to the plates on the top
of the head; operculum with a broad dermal border ; branchiostegals ten
to twelve; no pseudobranchie or opercular gill; no spiracle; gills four, a
slit behind the fourth; gill membranes not connected, free from the isth-
mus; two peculiar long lanceolate, olbiquely striate appendages on each
side of the isthmus, projecting backward and covered by the branchio-
stegal rays, the anterior wholly adnate to the isthmus, the posterior free
behind; isthmus scaleless; gill rakers stoutish, very short; scales of mod-
erate size, rather firm, cycloid, with a membranous border ; lateral line
present; dorsal fin long and low, nearly uniform; the posterior rays not
much higher than the others; tail somewhat heterocercal (more so in the
young), convex behind; no fulerums; anal fin short and low; pectoral and
ventral fins short and rounded, the ventrals nearer anal than pectorals;
vertebrae amphiccelian or double concave, as usual among fishes, none of
them specially modified; abdominal and caudal parts of the vertebral
column subequal; air bladder cellular, bifid in front, lung-like, connected
by a glottis with the pharynx, and capable of assisting in respiration,
stomach with a blind sac; no pyloric ceca; no closed oviduct; intestine
with a rudimentary spiral valve.

(7) Dogfish. Bowfin. Mudfish.

(Amia calva.)

Dark olive or blackish above, paler or sometimes bright green below ,
sides with traces of dark greenish reticulations; lower jaw and gular plate
often with round blackish spots; fins mostly dark, somewhat mottled.
Male with a round black spot at base of caudal fin above, this is sur-
rounded by an orange or yellow border; in the female this is very faint,
or more often wanting.

Lateral line nearly median, directed slightly upward at each end.
Scales on lateral line, about sixty-five.

De SOR, Ans shOntomlcn Vera.

The female Dogfish is larger than the male, sometimes reaching a
length of twenty-four inches, while the male rarely exceeds eighteen.

This fish is found generally distributed in sluggish ~-d weedy waters
from the upper St. Lawrence to the head of Lake Huron. I have no
records for Lake Superior. It is one of the most voracious of our fishes,
feeding upon all forms of small fry and insects, and where abundant is
very destructive to the more valuable forms of fish life. Its flesh is said
to be soft, nauseous, and quite uneatable.

In May and June the Dogfish resort to weedy bays and marshes,
where they spawn, the parent fish remaining with the eggs until they are
hatched, and afterwards protecting the young for some time.

FISH OF ONTARIO. 19

Series TELEOSTEI. (The Bony Fishes.)

This group comprises the majority of existing fishes. It 1s apparently
descended from the Ganoid type. As a whole, the Teleostei differ from the
Ganoids in the more perfectly ossified skeleton, the less heterocercal tail,
the degradation of the air bladder and the arterial bulb, and in the sim-
plicity of the optic chiasma.

The Teleostei are divisible into two great groups with rather ill-
defined boundaries, the Physostomi, or soft-rayed fishes, and the Physo-
clysti, or spiny-rayed. The members of the former group have through-
out life a slender duct, by which the air bladder is joined to the alimentary
canal. In most cases the fin rays are soft, the ventral fins abdominal, the
pectoral fins placed low, and the scales cycloid. Although the typical
Physostomi differ in many ways from the more specialized Physoclysti,
yet as we approach the junction of the two groups the subordinate differ-
ences disappear, leaving finally the presence of the air duct in Physostom!
as the only differential character.

Subclass OSTARIOPHYSI.

This group is characterized chiefly by the modification of the anterior
vertebrae. These are codssified and have some of their lateral and superior
elements detached and modified to form a chain of small bones, the Web-
erian ossicles, which connect the air bladder with the ear.

Order NEMATOGNATHI. (Catfishes.)

This order contains several families, which agree in having the sub-
opercle wanting, the anterior vertebre coalesced, and the maxillary
reduced to the bony core of a long barbel. None of the order have scales.

Famiry SILURIDA. (CAaTFISHEs.)

Body more or less elongate, naked, or with bony plates. No true
scales. Anterior part of head with two or more barbels; the base of the
longest pair formed by the small or rudimentary maxillary. Margin of
upper jaw formed by premaxillaries only. Suboperculum absent; oper-
culum present. Dorsal fin usually present, short, above or in front of the
ventrals. Usually an adipose fin behind dorsal. First ray of dorsal and
pectorals usually developed as a stout spine. Lower pharyngeals separate.
Air bladder usually present, large and connected with the organ of hearing
by means of the auditory ossicles.

A vast family of more than one hundred genera and upwards of nine
hundred species, mostly of the rivers and swamps of warm regions,
especially of South America and Africa. A few species are marine. They
are all very tenacious of life and most of them are excellent as food.

20 CHECK LIST OF THE

Genus ICTALURUS.. (CHannEL CaTFISH.)

Body slender, elongate, compressed posteriorly; head slender, con-
ical; superoccipital bone or process prolonged backward, its emarginated
apex receiving the acuminate anterior point of the second interspinal, thus
forming a continuous bony bridge from the head to the dorsal spine; mouth
small, terminal, the upper jaw longer; teeth subulate, in a short band in
each jaw; dorsal fin high, with one long spine and usually six rays; adi-
pose fin over posterior part of anal; anal fin long, with twenty-five to thirty-
five rays; ventral fins each with one simple and seven branched rays;
fins each with a stout spine, retrorse serrate within, and about nine rays;
pectoral fins each with a stout spine, retrorse serrate within, and about
nine rays; caudal fin elongate, deeply forked, the lobes pointed, the upper
the longer. Colouration pale or silvery, usually with dark spots on the
sides.

(8) Channel Cat. Spotted Cat.

(Ictalurus punctatus. )

Head rather small, narrow, convex above, so that the eye is little
nearer the upper than the lower outline. Eye rather large (for a Catfish).
Mouth small. Barbels long, the maxillary barbels reaching more or less
beyond the gill opening. Spines long, the pectoral spines strongly ser-
rated behind. Body rather long and slender. Colour light olivaceous or
bluish above; sides silvery, nearly always marked with irregular small,
dark, roundish spots; belly white; fins often with dark edgings.

el AO Al Pome Nala ee

It is extremely variable in colour and in number of fin rays, and has
consequently been described under a number of different names.

The Channel Cat grows to a length of about three feet and a weight
of twenty-five pounds or rather more, and is a most excellent table fish.
It is not very common in our waters, but is taken most frequently in Lakes
Erie and Ontario. Unlike most of the family, it seems to prefer pure,
clear water and is partial to deep, flowing streams.

Genus AMEIURUS. (Hornep Pouts.)

Body moderately elongated, robust anteriorly, the caudal peduncle
much compressed ; head large, wide, obtuse ; superoccipital extended back-
ward, terminating in a more or less acute point, which is entirely separate
from the second interspinal buckler; skin covering the bones thick; eyes
rather small; mouth large, the upper jaw usually the longer; teeth in
broad bands on the premaxillaries and mandibles; band of upper jaw
convex in front, of equal breadth, and without backward prolongation at
the angle; dorsal over the space between pectorals and ventrals, higher

(ssnpopund snunjpopy) “yea payodg

FISH OF ONTARIO. 21

than long, with a sharp spine and about six branched rays; adipose fin
short, inserted over the posterior half of the anal. Anal fin of varying
iength, with fifteen to thirty-five rays, the usual number being twenty or
twenty-one. Caudal fin short, truncate in typical species, more or less
forked in those species which approach the genus Ictalurus. Ventrals each
with one simple and seven branched rays. Pectorals each with a stout
spine, which is commonly retrorse serrate behind. Lateral line usually
incomplete.

The species are variable and not easily distinguished. Those in which
the caudal fin is forked make an approach to the genus Ictalurus. The
lack of connection between the supraoccipital and the interspinal buckler
is the only character by which these species can be separated from Icta-
lurus.

SUBGENUS HAUSTOR.

(9) Lake Catfish. Channel Cat.

(Ameiurus lacustris.)

Head broad, much depressed; mouth wide; eye rather small. Body
stout; dorsal base short, one-half the height of fin. Adipose fin well
developed; caudal not deeply forked; pectoral spine as long as dorsal
spine. Colour olivaceous slaty, growing darker with age; sides pale, no
spots; anal dusky on edge; barbels black.

eter erra ce TOMO Ne ice View Pe a,

This Catfish has a wide range, and is consequently variable. It is
generally distributed throughout the Great Lakes and in deep rivers, but
is more abundant in Lake Erie than any other of our waters.

As a food fish it is highly esteemed by people who have no prejudices
against Catfish in general, though, like the rest of the tribe, its appear-
ance is not prepossessing.

In the south specimens weighing over one hundred pounds are said
to be taken, but with us the fish very rarely attains a greater weight than
about thirty pounds.

Of its habits but very little is known. It is a bottom feeder and will
take a great variety of baits. Night lines set in its haunts and baited
with pieces of fish or small frogs are successfully used in taking it.

SuBGENUS AMEIURUS.
(10) Yellow Catfish.

(Ameiurus natalis.)

Head rather broad; mouth wide, with the upper jaw usually longer
than the lower, sometimes equal. The dorsal profile gradually ascends
from the snout to the dorsal spine. Eye moderate; maxillary barbel reach-

22 CHECK LIST OF THE

ing end of head; humeral shield little developed ; dorsal and pectoral spines
strong, shorter than soft rays; height of dorsal equal to twice the length
of its base; adipose fin long, opposite to and longer than anal; caudal
rounded. Colour yellowish, more or less clouded with darker. Length
about eighteen inches.

De le OS AL 2A aN le eS)

The Yellow Cat is found in Lakes Ontario, Erie and Huron. It is
not a very well marked species and is in consequence generally confused
with the other smal] Catfish. Its flesh is much esteemed by some people,
but as an angler’s fish it is not highly prized.

Sluggish streams, weedy bays and deep water marshes are its favorite
resorts, and in its habits it resembles the other members of the genus.

(11) Long-jawed Catfish.
(Ameiurus vulgaris.)

Head longer than broad, rather narrow forward, mouth wide; barbels
long; lower jaw more or less distinctly projecting. Eye very small. Adi-
pose fin well developed. The pectoral spine is stout and about two-thirds
as long as the fin. Caudal square; anal rounded. Length about eighteen
inches. Colour dark reddish brown, varying to blackish. D. I., 6; A.,
its) 10) BOS Ws Ilas te

This species is found in most still weedy waters throughout the Pro
vince, being most abundant from Lake Erie westward. Under favorable
conditions it sometimes attains a weight of four pounds and is equally
good as a food fish as the rest of its tribe, which it also resembles in its
habits.

(12) Common Catfish. Bullhead.

(Ameiurus nebulosus.)

Head heavy, upper jaw usually distinctly longer than the lower.
Barbels, eight; maxillary barbels as long as head; dorsal profile from tip
of snout to dorsal fin straight and rather steep; mouth wide and terminal ;
teeth awl-shaped, in broad bands on the intermaxillaries and dentaries ;
dorsal situated in front of middle of body, short and high; adipose fin
stout; anal large. Caudal square or slightly emarginate. Colour very
variable, usually dark yellowish or olive, clouded with darker above,
becoming yellowish or almost white below; sometimes entirely black.

DD Sale Sts WAS 2OmtO m2 ee \aelea Gs

This species reaches a maximum length of about eighteen inches and
a weight of four pounds; the average of those taken in our waters is,
however, much less. It is the common Catfish of the Province, occurring
abundantly in all quiet streams, ponds and_ bays, especially in those
having a mud bottom.

Early in June, when about to spawn, the Catfishes select a spot in
quiet shallow water near aquatic weeds and there they make a nest, from

(*SNSOpNGaU SOUP) YSYYB) WOULULOL)

FISH OF ONTARIO. 23

eight inches to one foot in diameter, by clearing out a slight Jepression
in the-mud or sand. In this nest about two thousand eggs are deposited,
over which the parents keep guard, the male being most assiduous in the
work of protection. In about a week the eggs are hatched and the young,
which look very like little black tadpoles, follow the parent fish along the
shores until nearly the middle of July, when they are left to shift for them-
selves; after this the fry soon scatter and disappear into deep weedy water.
They grow rapidly, and under favorable circumstances are said to attain
maturity in three years.

The Catfish is an omnivorous feeder, nothing in the shape of animal
food being beneath its notice, nor is it particular where it obtains its food,
for I have taken it at all depths from the surface of the water to the bot-
tom, though its general habit is to grub about on the mud, seeking for
what it may devour.

As an article of food this fish does not rank in the first class in the
estimation of most people; there are others, however, who prefer it to
any of the so-called ‘‘coarse fish,’’ while to the small boy who goes fishing
it is a source of endless delight and a joy forever.

(13) Black Catfish.

(Ameiurus melas.)

Body short, stout and deep. Head broad behind, rather contracted
anteriorly ; the dorsal profile straight and rather steep from tip of snout to
dorsal fin; eye rather small; barbels longer than head. Caudal peduncle
stout. Tail truncate; adipose fin well developed; teeth very fine, awl-
shaped and in broad bands. Rays of anal fin white, in marked contrast
with the dark membranes. The dorsal spine strong and sharply pointed;
anal fin short and deep.

Del, 67-A.,-17.to-19;

This is a small species, rarely exceeding ten inches in length. In
colour it varies from yellowish brown to black above, becoming bluish
white below.

I am not certain that this species should be included here, though it
is recorded from the upper St. Lawrence and from the south shore of Lake
Ontario, in New York State, and I believe that many years ago I took it
in the County of Lincoln, Ontario. It will probably be found sparingly
in Lake Erie, but its centre of abundance is south and west of this Pro-
vince.

Genus NOTURUS. (Stone Catrisu.)

Body moderately elongate, robust except in caudal part, which is
much compressed; head flat and broad; mouth terminal broad; teeth in
broad villiform bands on premaxillaries and dentaries; teeth of upper jaw
prolonged backward into an elongate triangular extension; adipose fin
adnate to the back; a poison gland at the base of the pectoral spine.

24 CHECK LIST OF THE

(14) Stone Catfish.
(Noturus flavus.)

Body moderately elongate; head broad and flat; barbels short, longer
barbel on chin not quite half as long as the head; nasal barbel when laid
back reaches end of eye. The low adipose fin begins over the anal origin
and continues into the caudal; in adult specimens it is deeply notched.
Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral spine retrorse—serrate in front, roughish
behind. Colour nearly uniform yellowish brown,

Length about twelve inches.

Dk 650A tO Ve. Oeky lee:

This species appears to be generally distributed through the Lake
Ontario and Erie waters, but is not abundant. It is an unpleasant fish to
handle because of the painful wounds produced by its pectoral spines.
There is a minute pore at the base of the pectoral spine which is the outlet
of a noxious fluid secreted by a poison gland. When this poison is dis-
charged into a wound it causes a very painful sore.

Genus SCHILBEODES.

Body moderately elongate, rounded anteriorly, compressed posteriorly ;
head flat; skin very thick, concealing bones of head; superoccipital not
joined to the head of the second interspinal; mouth large, anterior, the
upper jaw somewhat the longer; awl-shaped teeth in broad bands in the
jaws, the band in the upper jaw abruptly truncate at each end and not
prolonged into a backward extension as in Noturus; branchiostegals nine ;
dorsal fin nearer to ventrals than to pectorals, with a short spine and
seven rays; adipose fin long and low, adnate to the body and continuous
with the caudal fin, the adipose membrane sometimes high and continuous,
sometimes emarginate; caudal fin very obliquely truncated or rounded, its
base also obliquely rounded; many rudimentary rays both above and below
the caudal peduncle; anal fin short, with twelve to twenty-three rays;
ventrals rounded; pectoral fins with a sharp spine of varying form; vent
well in front of anal fin; lateral line complete. A poison gland opening
by an orifice in the axil of the pectoral. Wounds caused by the pectoral
spines are exceedingly painful.

Suncenus SCHILBEODES.
(15) Tadpole Stone Cat. Mad Tom.

(Schilbeodes gyrinus.)

Body short and stout, sloping rapidly downward from the dorsal
origin to the tip of the snout. Head short, broad and depressed, its width
nearly equal to its length; jaws nearly equal; snout short; eye small. The
maxillary barbel reaches to the base of the pectoral; the outer mandibulary

FISH OF ONTARIO. 25

barbel is slightly longer. The nasal barbel is one-half as long as the head.
Adipose fin low, beginning over the anal origin and is continuous with the
caudal. The ventral origin is under the end of the dorsal base, the fin does
not reach to anal origin. The caudal is rounded.

Colour brownish without blotches.

Db O70. PoptOmEC es Pen aS:

This little Catfish rarely exceeds four or five inches in length. It
frequents slow streams and weedy ponds and has the habit of hiding
beneath stones and among water plants. As in Noturus, there is a poison
gland at the base of the pectoral spine. It is said to occur in the region
of the Lower Lakes, but as yet I have not found it.

Order PLECTOSPONDYLI. (Carplike Fishes.)

Soft-rayed or physostomous fishes, with the parietals broad, distinct ;
pterotic normal; symplectic present; opercular bones all present; meso-
coracoid present; no interclavicles; the four anterior vertebrae much modi-
fied and joined together, provided with the Weberian apparatus or ossi-
cula auditus. Branchiostegals few, usually three or four; shoulder girdle
attached to the skull. This group consists entirely of fresh water fishes,
and includes about eight families, to which belong the majority of all the
fresh water fishes of the world. The essential character of the order lies
in the modification of the anterior vertebra, as in the Nematognathi, but
without the character of the rudimenary subopercle and maxillary and the
scaleless skin which distinguish the Catfishes.

Suborder EVENTOGNATHI. (The Carps.)

Plectospondylous fishes with the lower pharyngeals falciform, parallel
with the gill arches; two upper pharyngeal bones; brain case produced
between orbits; jaws without teeth; dorsal fin present; no adipose fin;
ventrals abdominal. Gill openings restricted, the gill membranes attached
to the isthmus. Streams and lakes of northern regions. Species very
numerous.

Famity CATOSTOMIDAS. (THE SUCKERS.)

Body oblong or elongate, usually more or less compressed. Head
more or less conical. Opercles normally developed. Nostrils double; no
barbels; mouth large or small, usually protractile and with fleshy lips.
Margin of upper jaw formed in the middle by the small premaxillaries,
and on the side by the maxillaries; jaws toothless. Lower pharyngeal
bones falciform, armed with a single row of numerous comb-like teeth.
Branchiostegals three; gill membranes more or less united to the isthmus,
restricting the gill openings to the sides; gills four, a slit behind the

3 F.

26 CHECK LIST OF THE

fourth ; :pseudobranchie present. Scales cycloid, large or small. Lateral
line decurved, sometimes wanting. Head naked; fins not scaly. Dorsal
fin comparatively long (of ten to fifty rays), without true spine; anal fin
short; caudal fin more or less forked; ventrals abdominal, with about ten
rays; pectoral fins placed low, without spine; no adipose fin; belly not
serrated. Alimentary canal long. Stomach simple; no pyloric ceca. Air
bladder large, divided into two or three parts by transverse constrictions,
not surrounded by a bony capsule.

Genus ICTIOBUS. (BurFaco FISHES.)

Body robust; head very large and strong. Eye moderate, anterior.
Fontanelle large, well open. Opercular apparatus largely developed; the
suboperculum broad; the operculum strongly furrowed. Mouth large for
a sucker, terminal, protractile forward, or downward and forward. Man-
dible strong, oblique. Lips little developed; the upper narrow and smooth ;
the lower rather full on the sides, but reduced to a narrow rim in front.
Jaws without cartilaginous sheath. Muciferous system of head well devel-
oped. Isthmus narrow, Pharyngeal bones rather weak; the teeth num-
erous, moderate or small; the lower ones gradually larger than the upper
ones. Gill rakers long and slender above, becoming shorter downward.
Scales large, thick, nearly equal over the body ; lateral line well developed,
slightly decurved anteriorly. Dorsal fin elongate; anterior rays somewhat
elevated, their length about half that of the base of the fin; caudal not
much forked; anal fin not much elevated; pectorals and ventrals moderate.
Sexual differences slight.

This genus contains an uncertain number of species, very few of
which have been yet well defined. They are large, coarse suckers, especi-
ally characteristic of the streams of the Mississippi Valley, and need much
study.

SuspcENusS ICTIOBUS.

(16) Buffalo-fish. Sucker-mouthed Buffalo.
(Ictiobus bubalus.)

Body considerably elevated and compressed above; the dorsal region
subcarinate; belly thicker; axis of body above the ventrals, below the
lateral line, and nearly twice as far from the back as from the belly. Head
moderate, triangular in outline when viewed from the side. Mouth quite
small; mandible about equal to eye. Dorsal fin elevated in front and
rapidly declined, the highest ray reaching much beyond the middle of the
fin, the seventh ray about half the length of the third or longest. Anal
rays rapidly shortened behind ; the middle rays much shorter than the first
long ones. Caudal deeply lunate. Colour, pale, slightly. dusky; fins
searcely dusky. D., 29% A. 10; Vo, 10 scales so ago Os

( rwosdimoy) sapoidang ) —* Wana]

VISH OF ONTARIO. 27

Southward and in the Mississippi basin this is the best known of all
the Buffalo fishes. It reaches a length of three feet and a weight of thirty-
five pounds.

The only Ontario record I have is that of a specimen in the Fisheries
Museum at Ottawa, said to have been taken in this Province.

Genus CARPIODES,. (Carp Suckers.)

Body oblong, the dorsal outline more or less arched; ventral outline
nearly straight; depth from one-half to one-third of length; sides com-
pressed; the back sharp edged; caudal peduncle short and deep; head
short and deep, its upper surface rounded; eye moderate, median or
anterior ; suborbital bones well developed; fontanel present; mouth small,
horizontal and inferior; mandible short; lips thin, the upper protractile,
narrow, the lower narrow; lips freely plicate or nearly smooth; jaws with-
out cartilaginous sheath; muciferous system moderately developed; oper-
cular apparatus well developed, the subopercle broad; isthmus moderate ;
pharyngeal bones remarkably thin, laterally compressed, with a shallow
furrow along the anterior margin on the inside, and another more central
on the outline of the enlarged surfaces; teeth very small, compressed,
nearly equally thin along the whole inner edge of the bone, forming a fine,
comblike crest of minute serratures, their cutting edge rising above the
inner margin into a prominent point; gill rakers slender and stiff above,
becoming reduced downward; scales large, about equal over the body;
lateral line well developed, nearly straight; dorsal fin long, nearly median,
somewhat in advance of ventrals, falcate, its anterior rays elevated, often
filamentous ; caudal fin well forked, the lobes equal; anal fin comparatively
long and low, few-rayed; ventrals rather short, usually with ten rays;
pectorals short, placed low; air bladder with two chambers. Size medium
or rather large.

(17) Drum. Lake Carp.
(Carpiodes thompsoni.)

Body short and stout, the back strongly arched. Head short, the
snout acutely pointed; lips thin, white, meeting at a wide angle; tip of
lower jaw much in advance of nostrils; eye small; dorsal about median,
its rays considerably elevated, the longest two-thirds as long as base of
fin. Scales rather closely imbricated, 8-39 to 41-6.

27 Ae Neate

This fish ranges from the upper St. Lawrence to Lake Huron, and
is common in Lake Erie. It is not valued as a food fish, its flesh being
coarse and not well flavored.

It attains a weight of five or six pounds.

28 CHECK LIST OF THE

Genus CASTOSTOMUS. (FINE-SCALED SUCKERS.)

Body elongate, fusiform, rounded, tapering anteriorly and posteriorly ;
head long, with pointed snout; eye small, placed high; suborbital bones
narrow; fontanel present, large; mouth rather large, inferior, upper lip
thick, protractile, papillose, lower lip greatly developed, with a broad free
margin, usually deeply incised behind, so that it forms two lobes, which
are often more or less separated; mandible horizontal, short; opercles
moderate; pharyngeal bones moderate, their teeth shortish, vertically
compressed, rapidly diminishing in size upward; scales comparatively
small; typically much smaller and crowded anteriorly; lateral line well
developed, straightish; dorsal nearly median, with from nine to fourteen
rays; anal fin short and high, with seven developed rays; ventrals inserted
under the middle or posterior part of dorsal, with nine to ten rays; caudal
fin forked, the lobes nearly equal. In males the fins are higher, and the
anal is swollen and tuberculate in the spring. Air bladder with two cham-
bers, the posterior large. Vertebra forty-five to forty-seven.

SuscENus CATOSTOMUS.
(18) Northern Sucker. Long-nosed Sucker.

(Catostomus catostomus. )

Body elongate, round and tapering. Head long and slender, depressed
and flattened above, broad at the base, but tapering into a long snout
which overhangs the large mouth; lips thick, coarsely tuberculate, the
upper lip narrow, with two or three, sometimes four, rows of papilla;
lower lip deeply incised. Eye small; scales very small, much crowded
anteriorly.

Ds 10-Or 105 As, 7:06 Oa ale:

Colour above greyish brown, becoming white below. Males in spring
with the head profusely tuberculate and the side with a broad rosy band.
In many specimens this band is persistent all through the season.

This Sucker has a very wide range, being found from the St. Law-
rence River all through the Great Lake region to the extreme north, and
is abundant in the streams about Hudson’s Bay. It spawns in early
spring.

As a food fish it is not highly esteemed. When fully grown it reaches
a weight of four or five pounds.

SuBcENuS DECACTYLUS.,
(19) Common Sucker. White Sucker.

(Catostomus commersonii.)

Body moderately stout, heavy at the shoulders and tapering to the
tail. Head conical, flattish above; snout rather prominent, scarcely over-

(UWOSMAUIUOD SNUMO SOM) ) “LOYONG WOULTAOD

FISH OF ONTARIO. 29

passing the mouth, which is rather large, with the lips papillose, the upper
with two or three rows of papille. Scales small, crowded anteriorly,
larger on the sides and below; dorsal fin situated in middle of length;
ventral opposite dorsal; anal far back.

Scales, 10-64 to 70-9.

De 2is Ans Zee, -O:

Colour, brownish or olivaceous above, white below; the males in
spring showing a rosy flush. The young more brownish, very much
blotched and marked with blackish. A small race of this species occurs
in streams which are blocked by dams or other impediments so as to pre-
vent the fish ever running down to the lakes. These fish never grow to
a greater length than about five or six inches, nor do they lose the dark
markings of the young; yet in that condition they undoubtedly spawn, for
the supply is always maintained.

This is the most abundant of all the Suckers in Ontario waters, and
the most generally distributed. It is found in lakes, rivers and even in
land-locked marshes and ponds. It spawns in early spring soon after the
ice goes out, and then forces its way up the flooded streams and through
the swiftest rapids to reach the spawning beds. At this time vast numbers
are speared and netted by fish-hungry people in the rural districts, for at
this season its flesh is eatable, though coarse and full of bones. Com-
mercially it is of very little value, but as it affords food for Bass, Lake
Trout, and all other predaceous and voraceous fishes, it is of considerable
economic importance.

Its food consists largely of soft-bodied insects and the smaller crus-
taceans, and it will readily take worm bait.

The largest I have ever seen would weigh from three to four pounds,
but they were exceptional; from one and a half to two being about the
average size of the spring run of Suckers.

SuBGENUS HYPENTELIUM.
(20) Hog Sucker. Stone Roller.

(Catostomus nigricans.)

Body subterete ; head flattened on top, the interorbital space concave
and the frontal bone short, broad and thick; eye rather small; mouth
large, lips well developed and strongly papillose; fins all large, caudal
moderately forked; lateral line fully developed, on median line of body.
Scales moderate, equal 7-52-7.

Darn Meee eNO:

Colour brassy olive, the back with dark cross blotches which disap-
pear with age; lower fins red.

A large species, sometimes reaching two feet in length. It is found
in Lake Erie and is recorded by Messrs. Evermann and Goldsborough
from Lake of the Woods.

30 CHECK LIST OF THE

Genus ERIMYZON. (CHuB SUCKERS.)

Body oblong, compressed; head moderate; mouth moderate, some-
what inferior, the upper lip well developed, freely protractile, the lower
moderate, infolded, inversely V-shaped in outline, plicate with twelve to
twenty folds on each side; lower jaw without cartilaginous sheath, rather
stronger than usual, and oblique when the mouth is closed; eye moderate ;
suborbital bones well developed, not much narrower than the fleshy part
of the cheek below them; opercular bones moderately developed, not
rugose; fontanelle rather large; gill rakers rather long; pharyngeal bones
weak; the teeth quite small, slender, and weak, rapidly diminishing in
length upward, each tooth narrowly compressed, with a cusp on the inner
margin of the cutting surface; scales rather large, more or less crowded
forward; no lateral line; dorsal fin rather short and high, rays usually
eleven or twelve; pectoral fins moderate; anal fin high and short, more or
less emarginate or bilobed in adult males; caudal fin moderately forked or
lunate, its lobes subequal. Air bladder with two chambers.

(21) Chub Sucker.

(Erimyzon sucetta.)

Head rather short, broad above. Body oblong, rather deep, com-
pressed. Mouth rather small and but slightly inferior, protractile. Dorsal
short, rather high placed in middle of length; caudal slightly forked; no
lateral line. Scales, 43-15.

Deen tolre ewe tones

Colour dusky, brassy below; young with black bands or bars and
pale streaks.

Our form is probably E. sucetta oblongus. It reaches a length of
about ten inches and feeds on soft-bodied insects.

Genus MINYTREMA. (Sporrep SUCKERS.)

Body rather elongate, subterete, becoming deeper and rather com-
pressed with age; scales rather large and nearly uniform in size; lateral
line interrupted in the adult, but with perfect tubes, imperfect in partly
grown specimens, and obsolete in the young; head moderate, rather broad
above; mouth moderate, inferior, horizontal; the upper lip well developed,
freely protractile; the lower rather small, infolded, inversely V-shaped in
outline, lower jaw without cartilaginous sheath; eye moderate, rather
high, nearly median; suborbital bones well developed; opercular bones
well developed, not very rough; fontanelle rather large; gill rakers rather
long; isthmus moderate; pharyngeal bones essentially as in Moxostoma ;
dorsal fin rather short and high, inserted somewhat nearer to tip of snout
than to base of caudal; pectoral fins moderate, placed low; anal high and

FISH OF ONTARIO. 31

short; ventrals short, midway between tip of snout and base of caudal ;
caudal fin moderately forked, the lobes equal; air bladder with two cham-
bers. Head in males tuberculate in spring.

(22) Striped Sucker.

(Minytrema melanops.)

Body oblong, subterete; head moderate, subconical; eye small; nos-
trils about over the angle of the mouth; dorsal origin over tip of pectoral;
ventrals nearly under middle of dorsal. Scales large, firm, 46-13.

Deas As 7 Vo oO,

Colour dusky above, coppery below, usually a dusky blotch behind
dorsal fin; scales mostly with a dark spot at the base, the spots forming
longitudinal stripes. In the young there is no lateral line, but in adults it
is almost entire. Old males during the spawning season in the spring
have the head tuberculate.

This species is found in Lake Erie and probably occurs sparingly in
Lake Ontario also, but I have no records from that region. As a food
fish it is of little value.

Genus MOXOSTOMA. (MUuLLETS; RED-HORSE SUCKERS.)

Body moderately elongate, sometimes nearly round, usually com-
pressed; scales large, nearly uniform in size; lateral line complete, straight
or anteriorly curved; head varying in length, subconical; eye usually
rather large, placed moderately high; suborbital bones very narrow; fon-
tanelle well developed; mouth varying much in size, inferior, the mandible
horizontal or nearly so; lips unusually well developed, the form of the
lower varying, usually with a slight median fissure, but never deeply
incised; lips with transverse folds, which are rarely broken up to form
papilla; jaws without cartilaginous sheath; muciferous system well
developed ; opercular bones moderately developed, nearly smooth; isthmus
broad; gill rakers weak, moderately long; pharyngeal bones rather weak,
the teeth rather coarser than in Erimyzon and Catostomus, strongly com-
pressed, the lower five or six stronger than the others, which rapidly
diminish in size upward, each with a prominent internal cusp; dorsal fin
nearly median, moderately long; anal fin short and high, with seven
developed rays; caudal fin deeply forked; air bladder with three chambers.

(23) White-nosed Sucker.
(Moxostoma anisurum.)

Body elongate, somewhat compressed, slightly arched anteriorly.
Head moderate, flat and broad above. Mouth slightly inferior; upper lip
thin, lower strongly V-shaped; eye large. Snout rather blunt, not pro-
jecting much beyond the mouth; fins all well developed, the dorsal large,
its first ray is as long as the base of the fin; upper caudal lobe narrow
and longer than the lower. Scales, 5 to 6; 43 to 46; 4,to 5.

32 CHECK LIST OF THE

DE UGG An Se LOnO aN moe

Colour pale; caudal smoky gray; lower fins red.

This species is generally distributed through the St. Lawrence, Lake
Ontario and Lake Erie regions, but is nowhere abundant. When fully
developed it attains a length of about two feet.

(24) Short-headed Mullet.
(Moxostoma breviceps. )

Body deep, compressed; head small; snout short and sharply conic,
overhanging the very small mouth, form suggesting that of the Whitefish ;
caudal fin with the upper lobe falcate and much longer than the lower ;
dorsal fin short, high and falcate; anal large, falcate, reaching beyond
front of caudal. Scales, 6-45-5.

Colour silvery, the lower fins bright red.

This species seems to be confined entirely to Lake Erie, so far as our
Province is concerned. It attains a length of about one foot and ranks
with the other fresh water Mullets as food.

(25) Common Mullet. Red-horse.
(Moxostoma aureoleum. )

Body oblong, the back in front of dorsal elevated and compressed ;
head short, conical, broad between eyes; mouth rather small, with thick
lips; snout somewhat projecting; eye rather large; caudal peduncle deep,
compressed. Caudal forked. Scales large, about equal in size all over
the body and finely striated, 6-46-6; lateral line complete.

ID Rae ee aoe)

Colour olivaceous, with strong brassy reflections, paler below; tail
and lower fins red.

This is the handsomest and best of all the Sucker family. It was
formerly abundant in the waters of the Lakes from the St. Lawrence to
Lake Superior, but owing to persistent netting during the spawing season
it has become comparatively scarce, In the early spring, as soon as the
ice moves out, the Mullet run up the streams to spawn, forcing their way
through the swiftest torrents in order to reach the gravelly beds, upon
which the ova are deposited. After spawning they retire to deep water.
While in the streams they will readily take worm bait, and as they fre-
quently attain a weight of four or five pounds they afford good sport in
the swift waters they frequent.

Famity CYPRINIDA. (THE Carps.)

Cyprinoid fishes with the margin of the upper jaw formed by the pre-
maxillaries alone and the lower pharyngeal bones well developed, falci-
form nearly parallel with the gill arches, each provided with one to three
series of teeth in small number, four to seven in the main row, and a less

(*tunaj}0aINY DUWOPSOLOTY ) —* YoT[N JA, UOUULWTOD

FISH OF ONTARIO. 33

number in the others, if more are present. Head naked; body scaly in all
our species. Barbels two or four; absent in most of our genera and not
large in any. Belly usually rounded, rarely compressed, never serrated.
Gill openings moderate, the membranes broadly joined to the isthmus.
Branchiostegals always three. Gills four, a slit behind the fourth. Pseudo-
branchiz usually present. No adipose fin, Dorsal fin short in all the
American species. Ventral fins abdominal. Air bladder usually large,
commonly divided into an anterior and posterior lobe, not inclosed in a
bony capsule, rarely wanting. Stomach without appendages, appearing
as a simple enlargement of the intestines. T‘ishes mostly of moderate or
small size; very abundant both in individuals and species, and from their
great uniformity in size, form, and colouration, constituting one of the
most difficult groups in natural history in which to distinguish genera and
species. Our genera are mostly very closely related, and are separated
by characters which, although reasonably constant, are often of slight
structural importance. The spring or breeding dress of the male fishes
is often peculiar. The top of the head and often the fins or various por-
tions of the body are covered with small tubercles, outgrowths from the
epidermis. The fins and lower parts of the body in the spring males are
often charged with bright pigment, the prevailing colour of which is red,
although in some genera it is satin white, yellowish, or black.

Young Cyprinidae are usually more slender than adults of the same
species, and the eye is always much larger; they also frequently show a
black lateral stripe and caudal spot, which the adults may not possess.

The fins and scales are often, especially in specimens living in small
streams, covered with round black specks, immature trematodes. These
should not be mistaken for colour markings.

Genus CAMPOSTOMA. (STONE ROLLERS.)

Body moderately elongate, little compressed; mouth normal, the jaws
with thick lips and rudiment of a hard sheath; premaxillaries protractile ;
no barbel; teeth 4-4 or 1, 4-4, 0, with oblique grinding: surface, and a
slight hook on one or two teeth; air bladder suspended in the abdominal
cavity and entirely surrounded by many convolutions of the long alimentary
canal; peritoneum black ; pseudobranchiz present ; scales moderate ; lateral
line present; dorsal nearly over ventrals; anal short; no spines. Herbiv-
orous. Sexual differences very great, the males being covered with large
tubercles in spring. The singular arrangement of the intestines in rela-
tion to the air bladder is peculiar to Campostoma among all known fishes.

(26) Stone Roller. Stone Lugger.
(Campostoma anomalum.)

Body moderately stout, not greatly compressed; the caudal peduncle
long and deep. Snout obtuse. Scales, 8-52 to 53-8.

34 CHECK LIST OF THE

[Dei topes dain aOIS o-

Colour brownish with a brassy lustre above, the scales mottled; a
black vertical bar behind opercle; iris orange. Dorsal and anal each with
a dusky cross-bar about half way up; in spring males the upper half of
these fins is fiery orange. In the spawning season, the males have the
head and frequently the entire body covered with large tubercles. Young,
mottled brownish, the fins plain.

In this species the intestinal canal is from six to nine times the total
length of the body, its numerous convolutions passing above and around
the air bladder, an arrangement found in Campostoma alone among all
the vertebrates (Jordan). It grows to a length of about eight inches and
“6 widely distributed.

I have not yet found this fish in our Province, but it should and
probably does occur in streams flowing into the Niagara River and into
ake = Hate:

GENUS CHROSOMUS,

Body moderately elongate, little compressed ; jaws normal; no barbel ;
teeth 5-5 or 4-5, moderately hooked, with well marked grinding surface ;
alimentary canal elongate, about twice as long as body; peritoneum black ;
scales very small; lateral line short or wanting; dorsal behind ventrals;
anal basis short. Size small. Colours in spring brilliant, the pigment
bright red.

(27) Red-bellied Dace.
(Chrosomus erythrogaster.)

Body fusiform; head conical with pointed snout; caudal moderately
forked, its middle rays two-thirds as long as the outer. Scales, 18-80 to
35-10; teeth, 5-5- Length about threeinches. *D:85-A;, 7; V., 8; P:, 12:
Colour, brownish olive, with black spots on the back, a blackish band from
above eye straight to the tail, sometimes breaking up in spots behind;
another below, broader, running through eye, decurved along the lateral
line, ending in a black spot at base of caudal; belly and space between the
bands bright silvery, brilliant scarlet in spring males, as are the bases of
the vertical fins; the females are obscurely marked.

This species has been taken in Algonquin Park by Prof. Macoun, but
I have no other records.

Genus HYBOGNATHUS.

Body elongate, somewhat compressed; mouth horizontal, the jaws
normal, sharp-edged ; lower jaw with a slight, hard protuberance in front ;
no barbel; upper jaw protractile; teeth 4-4, cultriform, with oblique grind-
ing surface and little if any hook; alimentary canal elongate, three to ten
times the length of the body; peritoneum black; scales large; lateral line
continuous; dorsal inserted before ventrals; anal basis short. Size mod-

FISH OF ONTARIO. 35

erate. Sexual changes very slight, no red or black pigment distinguishing
the males in spring.

SuBGENUS HYBOGNATHUS.

(28) Silvery Minnow.
(Hybognathus nuchalis.)

Body rather slender; head rather short, the profile evenly curved; eye
moderate ; lateral line decurved. Caudal moderate in size and deeply forked.
Scales, 6-38 to 39-4. Teeth, 4-4, long, much compressed, with a long
oblique grinding surface. Intestines seven to ten times as long as the
body.

Colour above, olivaceous green, translucent; sides silvery, with bright
reflections ; fins unspotted. Length about six inches.

Has been taken in the Lake Ontario region of New York State and
will probably also occur here.

Genus PIMEPHALES. (Fat-HEap Minnows.)

Body rather robust, little compressed ; head short and rounded, mouth
small, inferior; upper jaw protractile; no barbel; teeth 4-4, with oblique
grinding surface, usually only one of the teeth hooked; dorsal over ven-
trals, its first (rudimentary) ray separated from the rest by membrane,
not joined to them as usual in Minnows, this character most distinct in
adult males, in which the skin of the first ray is thickened; anal basis
short; intestinal canal elongate; peritoneum black; pseudobranchie pre-
sent; scales rather small; lateral line complete or variously incomplete.
Size small. Breeding males with much black pigment and with large
warts on the head.

Black-head Minnow. ( Pimephales proimelas.)

(29) Blackhead Minnow. Fathead.

(Pimephales promelas.)

Body short, deep, and moderately thick; head short, with a very
obtuse snout; mouth very small terminal, slightly oblique. Scales, 9-45
to 49-6.

4 F.

30) 2g CHECK LIST OF THE

Das 8s AL Wie (735 Vee Orde peels

Colour—Males in spring dusky, with black head and the snout and
chin with numerous coarse tubercles. Females much paler; both sexes
have a dark lateral stripe which varies much in individuals. Some speci-
mens I have show it clear and distinct from shoulder to the end of the
caudal, while in others it is scarcely visible. There is a dark band along
the base of the dorsal, widest and most distinct in front, fading out to-
wards the rear. Length about two and a half inches.

The Blackhead is found chiefly in streams and ponds having a mud
bottom. I have found it more frequently in Eastern Ontario than else-
where. It spawns in June among the stones near the shores of its habitat.

(30) Blunt-nosed Minnow.
(Pimephales notatus.)

Body rather elongate, with a slender caudal peduncle; head rather
long, with the snout abruptly decurved. Mouth very small, inferior, nearly
horizontal; caudal moderately large and forked. The lateral line curves
very slightly downward as far as the ventral origin and then follows
straight along the median line; it is complete. Scales, 6-42 to 45-5. Teeth,
Aaa ee Aele Os Acsloee 7 te Ven Occ eae M5.

Colour, dusky olive, lighter on sides, black spot on front of the dorsal
(wanting in young). Head wholly black in spring males, the snout with
fourteen large tubercles.

This is a larger species than the preceding, reaching a length of four
inches. It occurs in the St. Lawrence River and may be generally distrib-
uted, but so far I have not found it in Western Ontario.

Genus SEMOTILUS. (CuHuss. FALL-FISHES.)

Body stout, moderately compressed and elongate; mouth terminal,
wide, the upper jaw protractile; a small barbel just above the end of the
maxillary ; in most American Minnows the barbel is at its tip, the maxil-
lary barbel sometimes absent in young; teeth 2, 5-4, 2, hooked, without
grinding surface; scales rather large, lateral line complete; a short intes-
tinal canal; dorsal placed behind ventrals; base of anal short. Vertebre,
22+ 20= 42.

SUBGENUS LEUCOSOMUS.
(31) Chub. Horned Dace.

(Semotilus corporalis.)

Body moderately deep, elongate, with a stout caudal peduncle; head
rather large; snout pointed; mouth oblique, jaws nearly equal, the maxilla
extending to below front of eye. The caudal is large and deeply forked.
The lateral line curves downward abruptly over the pectoral, becoming

ee

ee

=

(sr DnopMOdy srpyOUey) — *quyg yeep

FISH OF ONTARIO. 37

median over the end of that fin. Scales, 7-46-5. A small barbel on max-
illary.

DT 7 AG AL A SON sete kos

Colour, upper parts steel blue; sides and belly silvery, fins unmarked.
In spring the males have the belly and lower fins flushed with deep rose.
This is the largest representative of the Minnow tribe in our waters, under
favorable circumstances attaining a length of eighteen inches. It frequents
streams and mill-ponds, spawns in June, and is most abundant in the
eastern part of the Province. This fish is eatable, but its flesh is not
greatly esteemed.

SuBGENUS SEMOTILUS.,
(32) Creek Chub. Horned Dace.

(Semotilus atromaculatus.)

Body slender and moderately elongate; head thicker than the body
and rather short; eye rather small and placed high. Mouth moderate,
very slightly oblique, the jaws subequal, or the lower slightly included.
Maxillary barbel minute (not evident in the young). The lateral line is
abruptly bent downward over the first half of the pectoral, straight and
nearly median durlng the rest of its course; caudal moderate and not very
deeply forked.

Sealess.9-56-0.. Dr 1,7 AG MN Sst Vi, On- bag ES:

Colour, bluish brown above; sides with a distinct dusky band, which
becomes obsolete in the adult. Young specimens have the end of this
band more pronounced, forming a black spot at the base of the caudal. A
small black blotch always present on the front of the base of the dorsal.
Belly whitish. Males in the spring have the belly rose-tinted and coarse
tubercles on the snout. This species sometimes attains a length of twelve
inches; it is very abundant and generally distributed in all the streams of
Ontario. As a food fish it does not take high rank, though it affords a
great deal of sport for rural school boys. It spawns in early summer on
the stony shallows in the streams it frequents.

Genus LEUCISCUS. (Dace.)

Body oblong, compressed or robust, covered with moderate or small
scales; lateral line decurved, complete, or variously imperfect; mouth
usually large and terminal, the lips normal, without barbel; teeth mostly
2, 5-4, 2, but somewhat variable, hooked, with rather narrow grinding’
surface or none; anal basis short or more or less elongate; dorsal fin
posterior, usually behind ventrals; intestinal canal short. . Size generally
large, some species very small. A very large group, one of the largest
current genera in ichthyology, represented by numerous species in North
America.

38 CHECK LIST OF THE

SuBGENUS CLINOSTOMUS.

—

~ Made

Red-sided Shiner. ( Leuciscus elongatus. )

(33) Red-sided Shiner.
(Leuciscus elongatus.)

Body elongate, fusiform with long and slender caudal peduncle; head
large, with long pointed snout. Mouth wide, with projecting lower jaw.
Caudal large and deeply forked. The lateral line is abruptly decurved
over the front half of the pectoral. .

DATS 73 As WN 75 V3 83 214s Meeth) <2, 5-5, 2, ooked some
of them with a narrow grinding surface. Colour, dusky bluish, somewhat
mottled; a broad black lateral band, the front half of which is bright crim-
son in spring males and which is persistent in most specimens through the
summer.

A very abundant ‘species found in most streams in southefn and
central Ontario. One of the handsomest of our creek fish,

Genus ABRAMIS. (BreEam.)

’ Body subelliptic; strongly compressed, both back and belly curved;
back narrowly compressed, almost carinated; belly behind ventral fins
forming a keel over which the scales do not pass. Head small, conic;
mouth small, oblique or horizontal, without barbels; scales rather large;
lateral line continuous, strongly decurved; dorsal fin inserted behind the
ventrals; anal fin with its base more or less elongate; teeth 5-5, hooked,
with grinding surface, the edges more or less crenate or serrate; aliment-
ary canal short, though rather longer than the body.

SusBcGENUS NOTEMIGONUS.

(34) Butterfish. Golden Shiner.
(Abramis crysoleucas. )

Body somewhat elongate, much compressed; head short, low, com-
pressed, mouth small, oblique, the maxillary not reaching eye; lateral line
much decurved. The dorsal fin higher than long, situated on middle of
body. Caudal forked. Scales, 10-53-3. Teeth, 5-5, hooked and with
grinding surface.

De tSip. ale bey

(‘snonaposhwo siumugpy ) “ysysteyqug

FISH OF ONTARIO. 39

Colour, greenish above, sides silvery in the young, with strong golden
reflections in adults; fins yellowish. Length about ten inches.

An abundant fish in quiet weedy waters throughout the southern and
central part of the Province. Its flesh is edible, but soft and weedy
flavoured. Spawns in early summer.

GeNus CLIOLA.

Form and appearance of Pimephales, the same squammation, fin rays
and plan of colouration, and the first ray of the dorsal similarly separated
by the membrane; the structure of the mouth similar, but with the intes-
tinal canal short, shorter than body, the peritoneum pale and the teeth
more hooked, as in Notropis. The genus is very near Pimephales,
although in its technical characters it approaches nearer to Notropis.

(35) Bulihead Minnow.
(Cliola vigilax.)

Body rather stout, compressed, with deep tail; head heavy, blunt;
snout short, decurved; mouth terminal, slightly oblique; teeth strongly
hooked; scales in front of dorsal small, crowded.

Scales; $-42-6;, Di, oO An 7,

Colour, pale olivaceous with a plumbeous lateral band, always ending
in a black spot at base of caudal; a conspicuous black spot on middle of
front of dorsal. Resembles Pimephales notatus, but distinguished by the
short intestine, larger mouth, paler colouration, with more definite mark-
ings. Length, three inches.

Jordan and Evermann record this fish from Detroit. It therefore will
probably be found in the waters of southwestern Ontario.

Genus NOTROPIS. (Suiners.)

Body oblong or elongate, more or less compressed; mouth normal,
mostly terminal and oblique, sometimes subinferior; no barbels; teeth in
one or two rows, those of the larger row always 4-4, hooked, sharp edged,
or with a narrow grinding surface; scales large, often closely imbricated,
those before the dorsal rarely very small; lateral line complete or nearly so,
usually decurved; dorsal fin inserted above, or more usually behind the
ventrals ; anal fin short or moderately long, abdomen rounded, never sharp
edged. Colouration more or less silvery, often brilliant, the males in
spring usually with red or white pigment and the head with small tubercles.
A very large group of small fishes, specially characteristic of the fresh
waters of eastern North America.

SUBGENUS CHRIOPE.

(36) Notropis cayuga.
Head four and one-sixth; depth, four and a-half; eye three and a.
half; scales, thirty-six. Teeth, 4-4. Lateral line wanting on some scales;

40 CHECK. LIST OF THE

mouth very small, anterior, the maxillary not reaching the eye; jaws sub-
equal; eye large. Scales.above dark edged, the outlines very sharply
defined; chin not black; a black stripe through snout and eye, a dusky
lateral shade and-a small caudal spot.

Length, two and a-half inches.

As this species ranges trom New York State eectnera to Assiniboia
it will no doubt be Soma in Ontario, but I have not yet seen it.

(37) Notropis muskoka.

Colour olivaceous, darker above, very pale below; a dark band about
two-thirds diameter of eye around snout and on sides to base of caudal fin ;
on the snout this band is confined to the upper jaw; between this band
and the darker colour on the dorsal region is a lighter band of about the
same width; a dark vertebral line present, also a similar one from base of
anal to caudal fin. The lateral line is less developed in this species than
in any other of the genus.

It differs from Notropis cayuga in the reduced size of the scales before
the dorsal fin, the more slender body, less blunt snout, and the slightly
larger and more oblique mouth and the more incomplete lateral line. It
is also a larger fish than Notropis cayuga.

Twenty-four specimens varying in length from 1.31 to 2.83 inches
were taken from the lower part of Gull Lake, Muskoka, and from the
outlet just below the first falls.

This species is new. It was discovered and taken by Dr. S. E. Meek
in September, 1899. ;

(38) Notropis heterodon.

Body moderately stout, the back somewhat elevated; head rather
pointed, the snout acuminate; mouth oblique, lower jaw _ projecting;
lateral line usually more or less imperfect. Scales, 5-36-3. Teeth, 4-4,
often crenate.

Colour olivaceous; chin black; a blackish rostral band; sides with a
dusky band. Length two and a half inches.

Ranges from the St. Lawrence River westward.

SUBGENUS ALBURNOPS.
(39) Notropis fretensis.

Slender, compressed; mouth oblique; eye three and a half in head;
lateral line decurved. Scales, 6-35-3. Colour, olive, a plumbeous lateral
shade and dark spot at base of caudal. Length two and a half inches.

This somewhat doubtful species is recorded by Jordan and Evermann
from the Great Lake region and Detroit Rivet.

FISH OF. ONTARIO. 41

(40) Straw-colored Minnow.
(Notropis blennius. )

Body slender, elongate, its greatest depth one-fifth of total length
without caudal; head rather large; eye large; mouth small, inferior, hori-
zontal, snout very obtuse. Scales, 5 to 6-32 to 38-4. D., 8to9; A., 7 to 8.

Colour pale, olivaceous; sides usually pale, usually a darker dorsal
band and a small dark blotch before dorsal, sometimes a plumbeous lateral
stripe, but no caudal spot; fins all plain. Length about two and a half
inches.

Range from the upper St. Lawrence through the region of the Great
Lakes. Lake of the Woods (Evermann and Goldsborough).

(41) Notropis volucellus.

Body moderately stout. Head depressed, the snout rather long. Fins
more elongate than in most related species, the pectorals reaching ventrals.
Caudal peduncle slender.

DO Acy Oo eSeales, A-3A=3.

Colour, olivaceous, a slight dusky lateral shade; no dorsal stripe,
fins plain. Length, two and a-half inches.

This species has been found in the Detroit River. I have no other
records from our. waters.

SusBcGENuS HUDSONIUS.

(42) Spawn-eater. Smelt.
(Notropis hudsonius. )

Body moderately elongate, compressed. Head conical, with short,
blunt snout; mouth small, nearly horizontal, the lower jaw very slightly
the shorter. The lateral line is slightly curved downward over the pec-
toral, straight and median for the rest of its course. Caudal large and
deeply forked, its middle rays half as long as the outer. Scales, 7-38-5.
Teeth, 2, 4-4, 1 or 2, with a narrow grinding surface on at least two.

Dee Se Ae SLOnG; Ve, 8.c2P at FAc

Colour, pale olive, young always with a round black spot at base of
caudal; sometimes a dark lateral band; fins unmarked. Length, ten
inches.

Common and generally distributed in the lakes and larger streams
from the upper St. Lawrence to Lake Superior. The northern form of
Lake Superior is N. h. selene.

SUBGENUS CYPRINELLA.
(43) Silverfin.
(Notropis whipplii.)
Body moderately elongate, fusiform in the adult. Caudal peduncle
short and stout. Head conical, compressed, snout pointed. Mouth mod-

42 CHECK LIST OF THE

erate terminal, slightly oblique, jaws nearly equal. The caudal is large
and moderately forked. The lateral line curves downward over the pec-
toral. Scales 6-38 to 41-4; teeth, 1, 4-4, 1. Dl, 85yA Wo: Ve, 65 baer.

Colour, bluish silvery; scales dusky edged; a dark vertebral line; a
narrow and long black blotch on the membrane of the dorsal between the
sixth and seventh and another between the seventh and eighth rays.
Lower fins pale. Males in spring have the fins partly or wholly charged
with white pigment and in the height of the breeding season the pigment
in the dorsal has a greenish tint and the top of the head and snout is cov-
ered with minute tubercles.

Length, about four inches.

It is found in the St. Lawrence and Great Lakes region.

SuBGENUS LUXILUS.

(44) Shiner. Redfin. Dace.
(Notropis cornutus.)

When young the body is moderately elongate, but it becomes deeper
with age and much compressed; caudal peduncle short. Head short, deep
and thin; mouth moderate, terminal, little oblique, lower jaw included;
eye moderate; the lateral line descends in a long curve, becoming straight
and median over the anal origin; caudal large and deeply forked. Scales,
7-40 to 41-4. Teeth, 2, 4-4, 2, with narrow grinding surface.

Ds05c AL Os Vis. One beamn se

Colour, upper parts steel blue with a gilt line along the back; scales
dusky at edge and base. The sides are bright silvery overlaid with a gilt
line. In spring males the belly and lower fins are bright rosy and the head
and nape covered with small tubercles. It attains a length of about eight
inches; under favourable circumstances perhaps a little more.

This handsome fish is abundant in all streams of any size throughout
the Province, particularly so in those where rapids alternate with deep
pools and eddies.

It spawns in early summer on stony shallows.

As a food fish it is of no value, its flesh being soft and tasteless, but
it is unexcelled as bait for Maskinonge, Bass, etc.

N. c. frontalis is the form commonly found in the lakes.

SuBGENUS NOTROPIS.
(45) Notropis jejunus.

Head four; depth, four and two-thirds ; eye rather large. Body rather
slender ; head flattish above, the snout blunted and rounded; mouth rather
large, oblique.

Dorsal over ventrals; 16 scales before dorsal.

De Oo Ao 75 SCales, 5-37-3sateeth, 2, 4q-anare

Colour pale with a broad silvery lateral band overlying a plumbeous
shade; dorsal sometimes punctulate. Length, three inches.

(csnynusoo sidowjoxy) “AULT

vi

ie NOOSNOAAAALEA

FISH OF ONTARIO. 43

This species is recorded by Evermann and Goldsborough from Lake
of the Woods and Rainy River.

(46) Notropis atherinoides.

Head, four and two-thirds; depth, five and a half; eye three and a
quarter.. Body long and slender, compressed, the back not elevated.
Head blunt, conic, proportionately shorter than in related species. Mouth
moderate, very oblique, upper lip on level of upper part of pupil; maxillary
about reaching front of eye. Eye large, rather longer.than snout. Fins
low; dorsal well behind ventrals; tips of ventrals extending to beyond
middle of dorsal. Lateral line decurved.

D7 33 Au, IF; scales, -5-38-3; 15 before dorsal; teeth, °2,74-4, 2.

Colour translucent green above; sides bright silvery; scales above
faintly punctate, but not enough so to render them dark-edged, nor to
form blotches along sides; a faint dark vertebral line; males in spring
with the snout rosy. Length, four to six inches.

This species ranges from the St. Lawrence River through the Great
Lake region to Manitoba.

(47) Notropis rubrifrons.

Head, four; depth, four and three-quarters; eye, four. Body mod-
erately elongate, the back scarcely elevated, caudal peduncle somewhat
contracted. Head longer than in most related species, conic and rather
pointed. Mouth rather large, very oblique, upper lip above line of middle
of pupil, maxillary reaching to opposite eye. Eyé moderate, anterior,
usually shorter than the sharp snout.

D., 8; A., 10; scalés, 5-39-3, those before dorsal large, 15 to 17-in
number; teeth, 2, 4-4, 2, little hooked.

Colour olivaceous above; scales with darker edges; sides silvery; a
dark vertebral line; a row of dark dots along base of anal; males with the
snout tuberculate in spring; the forehead, opercular region and base of
dorsal being then flushed with red.

Length, two and three-quarters inches. ;

This species is recorded from the St. Lawrence River and Lake of the
Woods (Evermann and Goldsborough).

Suscenus LYTHURUS.
(48) Redfin Minnow.
(Notropis umbratilis. )

Body compressed, the caudal peduncle long; head long, conical,
rather pointed; mouth large, moderately oblique lower jaw somewhat pro-
jecting; eye moderate; scales closely imbricated, crowded anteriorly ;
dorsal fin high, inserted about midway between ventrals and anal; pec-
torals not reaching ventrals; caudal long; lateral line much decurved.

Scales,-9-40 to 52-3. Teeth, 2, 4-4, 2. D., 7; A., 11.

44 CHECK LIST OF THE

Colour, dark steel blue above; pale or silvery below. A more or less
evident black spot at base of dorsal in front; the fins otherwise all plain.
Males with the anterior dorsal region and the head profusely covered with
small whitish tubercles, the belly and lower fins being of a bright brick
red in the spring. Females very pale olive, sometimes almost colourless.

This species is recorded by Dr. Tarleton H. Bean as ranging from
Western New York to Minnesota. It should therefore be found in the
waters of Western Ontario, but as yet I have not seen it. Our form would
probably be N. u. lythrurus.

Genus RHINICHTHYS. (BLAck-NosED Dace.)

Body moderately elongate and little compressed, with usually stout
caudal peduncle and long, conical nose; head rather large, sometimes
broad and flat above; eye small; mouth small, subinferior, the upper jaw
fixed by the union of the upper lip to the skin of the forehead; end of
maxillary with small barbel. Teeth, 2, 4-4, 2 (sometimes 2, 4-4, 1), those
of the principal row usually hooked, without grinding surface. A short
intestinal canal; scales very small; lateral line decurved, continuous ;
dorsal origin slightly behind ventral; base of anal short. Small fishes
inhabiting clear, cold, brooks and streams.

(49) Long-nosed Dace. Niagara Gudgeon.
(Rhinichthys cataracte.)

Body elongate, subterete; caudal peduncle stout; head moderate; eye
rather above median; mouth horizontal, small, placed under the snout, the
lower jaw the shorter; upper lip thick; barbel evident but small; caudal,
large and well forked; scales, 13-57 to 65-10. Teeth, 2,4-4, 2, three of the
prncipall row hooked: (DialIbe7.. Ay. 165,V2,783 Es, 12:

Colour, dusky olive, the back darker, below pale, some of the scales
mottled irregularly with dark and olivaceous, no black lateral band in the
adult, but in the young there is a trace of a dusky band. Males in the
spring have the lips, cheeks and lower fins crimson. Length, about five
inches.

This species is found from the Niagara River to Lake Superior. It
is not uncommon at Sault Ste. Marie.

se
‘*

“8

una
Black-nosed Dace. ( Rhinichthys alronasus. )
(50) Black-nosed Dace.
(Rhinichthys atronasus.)

Body long, somewhat stout; head small, conical; eye small; mouth
small, slightly oblique, with nearly equal jaws; the maxillary barbel small

FISH OF ONTARIO. 45

or wanting. The dorsal origin is nearer to root of caudal than to tip of
snout; caudal small and not deeply forked. The lateral line curves down
over the pectoral, soon becoming median. Scales, 10-56 to 63-10. Teeth,
2, 4-4, 2, three of the principal row strongly hooked. D. II., 6 or 7; A.
Pe 6 Nt Ook a ET.

Colour dusky blackish, mottled above, whitish below, a black lateral
band, bordered above and below by pale. Spring males have the lateral
band and ventral fins crimson or orange. In some adult specimens I have
the dark lateral band is entirely wanting. Dr. Philip Cox, of New Bruns-
wick, who finds both this and the preceding species in that Province, says:
‘“These two species are with us very closely related and present at all

times such instability of characters as to suggest intergrading.’’ Length,
about three inches.

Very common in all streams of the Lower Lakes and St. Lawrence
region. In the Upper Lake region it is represented by R. a. obtusus.

GeNus HYBOPSIS. (Horny-HEaDs.)

Body robust or variously elongate; mouth terminal or inferior, with
lips thin or somewhat fleshy, a conspicuous barbel always present and
terminal on the maxillary; a second barbel sometimes present on each
side; premaxillaries protractile. Teeth 4-4 or 1, 4-4, 1, or 0; hooked, the
grinding surface narrow or obsolete. Scales usually rather large; lateral
line continuous. Dorsal inserted over, in front of, or slightly behind
ventrals; anal basis short. Males usually with nuptial tubercles, and
sometimes flushed with red. A large and varied group closely allied to

Notropis, from which it differs chiefly in the presence of the small maxil-
lary barbel.

SuBGENUS ERIMYSTAX.

(51) Spotted Shiner.
(Hybopsis dissimilis. }

Body long and slender, caudal peduncle long and low; head long,
snout obtusely rounded at the point; projecting beyond the small mouth.
The gill openings are separated by a broad isthmus. Caudal moderately
large and deeply forked. Barbels conspicuous. Scales, 6-43 to 47-5-
Teeth, 4-4, hooked and with a short grinding surface. D. II., 8; A. II.,
Oran Site y Aina beens Ce

Colour, above olivaceous, below silvery, the lateral band is dusky, on
which are several dark spots; the band is carried forward through the eye
and around the snout; fins pale. Length, about six inches.

This species occurs in the Lower Lakes and rivers falling into them.
It is probably more abundant in Lake Erie than elsewhere.

5 F.

46 CHECK LIST OF THE

SuBGENUS HYBOPSIS.
(52) Lake Minnow.

(Hybopsis storerianus. )

Body rather elongate; back elevated, ascending gradually to begin-
ning of dorsal, then descending to the caudal fin; head short, interorbital
space broad, flat; mouth rather small, horizontal, the lower jaw included ;
barbel conspicuous; snout abruptly decurved, the tip thickened; lateral
line somewhat decurved; fins high; dorsal inserted well forward, over
ventrals ; pectoral fins pointed ; caudal long, deeply forked. Scales, 5-42-4.
DiS eA. <8:

Colour, greenish above; sides and below brilliant silvery; fins plain.
Length, about eight inches.

This fish has been taken in Lake Ontario waters aad also in Lake
Erie, but I have no other records.

Genus COUESIUS.

Body elongate ; head normal, not depressed, the profile convex ; mouth
terminal, noo a well developed barbel on the anterior side of maxil-
lary, just above its tip. Teeth, 2, 4-4, 2, hooked without grinding sur-
face. Scales rather small; lateral line continuous. Dorsal fin over or
slightly behind ventrals; anal basis short. Size rather large. This genus
is Closely related to the section Nocomis under Hybopsis, from which it
may be separated by the presence of two teeth in the lesser row, by the

position of the barbel, and by the smaller scales. Its relations with Semo-
tilus are equally close.

(53) Lake Chub.

(Couesius plumbeus. )

Body moderately elongate and somewhat compressed; head rather
flat above, not much raised above the level of the eyes; maxillary reaching
to below front of orbit, a small barbel placed high at its tip; lower jaw
included. Lateral line beginning high up on the nape, abruptly descend-
ing to the median line over the pectoral fin, and thence running nearly
straight to the caudal fin. Dorsal origin midway between tip of snout
and base of caudal fin. Caudal deeply forked. Scales small, 13-65-8.
eet 2 4-45 pe

Colour dusky above, sides silvery with a plumbeous lateral band; fins
plain. Length, about six inches.

This species ranges through Canada from New Brunswick to Lake
Superior and is tolerably common throughout; more especially north-
ward. The Lake Superior form is C. p. dissimilis.

GENUS EXOGLOSSUM.

Body rather short and stout, subterete; lower jaw three lobed, the
dentary bones being close together and completely united, not forming a

FISH OF ONTARIO. 47

wide arch as in the minnows generally; upper jaw not protractile; pha-
ryngeal bones small, the teeth hooked, and without grinding surface, 1, 4-
4, 1. Scales moderate; lateral line complete. Dorsal origin is nearly
over the beginning of the ventral ; anal fin short ; isthmus broad; gill rakers
weak; pseudobranchial present, air bladder normal; alimentary canal
short; peritoneum white. Size large. No marked sexual peculiarities ;
the males with some black pigment in spring. One of the most strongly
marked genera of Cyprinide.

(54) Cut-lips. Stone-toter.
(Exoglossum maxillingua. )

Body rather short, and stout; caudal peduncle short and deep. Snout
short and obtusely conical, lower jaw included; eye small. Caudal mod-
erately forked. Scales, 9-54-6. Teeth, 1, 4-4, 1. D., 8; A., 7.

Colour, dusky olivaceous, darker above; a short and narrow dark bar
above the root of pectoral; young with a dusky bar at the caudal base.
Fins dusky, with pale extemities.

This fish may be readily distinguished by the three-lobed lower jaw,
the dentary bones being closely united and the lower lip represented by a
fleshy lobe on each side of the mandible.

Length, about six inches.

The Stone-toter has not a very wide range; it is found in the St.
Lawrence River and in Lake Ontario, but does not appear to be abundant.

Genus CYPRINUS. -(Carp.)

Body robust, compressed; mouth moderate, anterior, with four long
barbels; snout blunt, rounded; teeth molar, broad and truncate, 1, 1, 3
3, I, 1; scales large; lateral line continuous; dorsal fin very long, with a
stout spine, serrated behind; anal fin short, also with a spine. Large
fishes of the fresh waters of Asia; introduced into Europe and America

as food fishes.

(55) Carp. (Introduced.)
(Cyprinus carpio.)

Body stout, moderately elongate; head comparatively small; mouth
moderate, the upper jaw not extending to front of eye; a barbel on the
upper lip and another on the angle of the mouth at each side. Caudal
strongly tonked. Stalese5-38-5 . Ds Ihe. Zo: ALTE 5 Vo Pere.

Colour, above dusky, the sides and below golden olive.

There are three varieties of this species, the German or Scale Carp,
the Mirror Carp, and the Leather Carp, the distinction between them being
based upon the scale arrangement. The Leather Carp is nearly without
scales. The Mirror has a few scales of unequal size, irregularly placed;

48 CHECK LIST OF THE

while the German variety has the body completely covered with scales,
this last being the most abundant form in our waters.

No greater mistake was ever made than the introduction of this fish
into North American waters. In England, where it is well known, it
was considered about the most worthless fish they had and one of the
most dificult to get rid of, where once it had become established. On
some parts of the continent of Europe, however, where good fish are
scarce, the Carp was cultivated and fed in ponds with care and probably
because the people knew no better, it was more appreciated. In this
country, where fish of the highest quality should be obtainable by every
one, there is no place for the Carp.

De Kay states that it was first introduced into New York waters in
1831. In 1870 it was taken to California and in 1877 the United States
Fishery Commissioners imported a considerable number and propagated
them only too successfully. Since then they have spread into all accessible
waters and have become an unbearable nuisance wherever found, for not
only are they damaging our fisheries, but also by reason of their destruc-
tion of the wild rice beds they are causing the wild fowl to avoid the feed-
ing grounds to which they formerly resorted during the autumn flight.

The food of Carp consists principally of insects and vegetable matter,
preferably, perhaps, of the seeds, young shoots and tender roots of
aquatic plants; when feeding it constantly grubs up the bottom, thereby
stirring the mud and keeping the water in such a dirty condition that none
of our valuable fish will remain in it.

The spawning season in our waters commences in June and seems to
last until August. The fish are very prolific, make rapid growth, and
attain a large size, specimens weighing over twenty pounds having fre-
quently been taken in American waters, while in Europe they have been
known to reach ninety pounds.

Order APODES. (The Eels.)

Teleost fishes with the premaxillaries atrophied or lost, the maxillaries
lateral, and the body anguilliform and destitute of ventral fins. The. most
striking feature is the absence of the premaxillaries, taken in connection
with the elongate form and the little development of the scapular arch,
which is not attached to the cranium. Other characters not confined to
the Apodes are the following: The absence of the symplectic bone, the
reduction of the opercular apparatus and of the palatopterygoid arch, the
absence of ventral fins, the absence of the mesocoracoid or precoracoid
arch, and the reduction or total absence of the scales. There are no
spines in the fins, the gill openings are comparatively small, and there are
no pseudobranchie. The vertebra are in large number and none of them
are specially modified. The tail is isocercal; that is, with the caudal ver-

tebrae remaining in a straight line to its extremity, as in the embryos of
most fish.

ae ae
a ts RS “v2
eo A

(‘pdiisisyo nynbup ) “joy UBOLOULy

FISH OF ONTARIO. 49

Suborder ENCHELYCEPHALI.

The characters of this group are as given above.

Famiry ANGUILLIDA:. (Tur TRUE EELS.)

The true Eels are characterized by their conical head, well developed
opercular apparatus, lateral maxillines, cardiform teeth, distinct tongue,
vertical lateral branchial apertures, continuous vertical fins, with the dorsal
far from the head, pectorals well developed, scaly skin, and nearly perfect
branchial skeleton.

The Anguillide approach more nearly than most of the Eels to the
type of the true fishes. In one respect, however, that of the minute ova
and concealed generation, they differ widely from these.

Genus ANGUILLA. (EELs.)

Body elongate, subterete, compressed posteriorly, covered with
embedded scales which are linear in form and placed obliquely, some of
them at right angles to others. Lateral line well developed. Head long,
conical, moderately pointed, the rather small eye well forward and over
the angle of the mouth. Teeth small, subequal, in bands on each jaw and
a long patch on the vomer. Tongue free at tip. Lips rather full, with a
free margin behind, attached by a frenum in front. Lower jaw projecting.
Gill openings rather small, slit like, about as wide as base of pectorals
and partly below them. Nostrils superior, well separated, the anterior
with a slight tube. Vent close in front of anal. Dorsal inserted at some
distance from the head, confluent with the anal round the tail. Pectorals
well developed.

(56) American Eel.
(Anguilla chrysypa.)

Body much elongated, round through most of its length, compressed
behind; head conical, elongated; snout pointed; lower jaw longer than
the upper; gill openings partly below the pectoral fins, small and slit-like.
Scales imperceptible, deeply embedded and very irregularly placed. Lateral
line very distinct. Colour above olive brown more or less tinged with
yellowish, below grayish to pure white. Length, thirty inches.

In our Province the Eel is only found in the St. Lawrence and Lake
Ontario and their tributaries, the Falls of Niagara forming an insur-
mountable obstacle to further progress inland.

Until recently the reproduction of the Eel has been involved in mystery,
but the careful investigations of competent observers have resulted in
showing that the Eel spawns in salt water, usually on mud banks off the

50 CHECK LIST OF THE

mouths of rivers, to which they resort in late autumn. When the young
Eels are from two to three inches long they ascend the rivers in vast num-
bers, travelling continually until they meet some obstacle which cannot
be overcome. Professor Baird has estimated ‘“‘that in the summer one
may see hundreds of waggon loads of young Eels at the foot of Niagara
Falls, crawling over the rocks and squirming in the seething waters.’’
Where the obstruction to their passage permits it, the fish will leave the
water and travel through wet grass in order to continue their journey.

As a food fish Eels are justly esteemed and in the markets they always
sell for a high price.

Order ISOSPONDYLI. (The Isospondylous Fishes. )

Soft-rayed fishes with the anterior vertebra simple, unmodified, and
without auditory ossicles; symplectic present; no interclavicles ; opercular
bones distinct; pharyngeal bones simple above and below, the lower not
falciform. _Mesocoracoid arch always well developed, forming a bridge
from the hypercoracoid to the hypocoracoid. Bones of jaws developed,
the maxillary broad, always distinct from premaxillary, and forming part
of margin of upper jaw; no barbels. Shoulder girdle well developed and
connected with the cranium by a bony post-temporal. Gills four, a slit
behind the fourth. Air bladder, if present, with a pneumatic duct. Dorsal
and anal fins without true spines. Ventral fins abdominal, sometimes
wanting. Scales usually cycloid, sometimes ctenoid ; occasionally wanting.
No developed photophores. Adipose fin present or absent.

Famity HIODONTIDE. (THE Moon-eYEs.)

Body oblong, much compressed, covered with moderate sized, bril-
liant, silvery, cycloid scales. Head naked, short, the snout blunt. Mouth
moderate, oblique terminal, the jaws about equal. Premaxillaries not pro-
tractile. Maxillary small, slender, without evident supplemental bone,
articulated to the end of the premaxillary and forming the lateral margin
of the upper jaw. Dentition very complete; premaxillary and dentary
bones with small wide-set cardiform teeth; maxillaries with feeble teeth ; 4
row of strong teeth around the margin of the tongue, those in front very
strong canines; between these is a band of short close-set teeth; vomer
with a long double series of close-set, small teeth; similar series on the
palatines, sphenoid and pterygoids; sides of lower jaw fitting within the
upper, so that the dentaries shut against the palatines. Eye very large,
the adipose eyelid not much developed. Preorbital very narrow. Nostrils
large, those of each side close together, separated by a flap. Gill mem-
branes not connected, free from the isthmus, a fold of skin covering their
base. No gular plate. Branchiostegals eight to ten. Gill rakers few,

( Hiodon tergisus. )

Mooneye

FISH OF ONTARIO. 51

short and thick. Pseudobranchiz obsolete. Lateral line distinct, straight.
Belly not serrated. Dorsal fin rather posterior; anal elongate, low;
ventrals well developed; caudal strongly forked; no adipose fin. Stomach
horseshoe-shaped, without blind sac; one pyloric cecum. Vertebra, about
sixty. Air bladder large. No oviducts, the eggs falling into the cavity
of the abdomen before exclusion.

Genus HIODON. (Moon-eyveEs.)

The generic characters are included above.

SuBGENUS HIODON.

(57) Mooneye.
(Hiodon tergisus. )

Body oblong, much compressed; the belly with a slight but obtuse
keel in front of ventrals and a rather sharp edge behind them; head short,
snout rounded; eye large; caudal deeply forked.

Dene ee Ae? LOnQ2)

Colour, back bright olive green; sides and abdomen brilliantly silvery.
Length, twelve inches or a little more.

This species ranges from the St. Lawrence to Lake Superior and is
particularly abundant in Lake Erie. It is a very handsome and good
game fish, taking bait very readily, but its flesh is of no value as food.

SusGENUS AMPHIODON.

(58) Gold-eye. Northern Mcooneye.
(Hiodon alosoides.)

Body deep, much compressed; head short, eye moderate, the snout
very blunt; mouth large and oblique, the maxilla reaching beyond the
middle of the eye. The ventral edge of the body carinated. Scales, 6-56-7.
DAO Nei 32:

Colour, bluish above, sides silvery with a golden lustre. Length,
about twelve inches.

I have no positive record of the occurrence of this fish in Ontario
waters, but I have no doubt that it will be found in the lakes and rivers
near the Manitoba boundary. In Manitoba it is very abundant and is the
best sporting fish found in the prairie rivers. It takes grasshoppers and
small frogs, or even pieces of fish very readily, and in early summer rises
well to an artificial fly. Its flesh is particularly well flavoured and firm
and is much valued as food.

52 CHECK LIST OF THE

Famity DOROSOMIDZE. (Gizzarp Suaps.)

Body short and deep, strongly compressed, covered with thin, decidu-
ous cycloid scales. Belly compressed to an edge, which is armed with
bony serratures. Head naked, short, and rather small. Mouth small,
inferior, oblique, overlapped by the blunt snout; no teeth; maxillary nar-
row and short, with a single supplemental bone, not extending to opposite
middle of eye, and forming but a small portion of lateral margin of upper
jaw; mandible short and deep, its rami enlarged at base; premaxillaries
not protractile. Gill rakers slender, exceedingly numerous, not very long,
similar on all the arches. Gill membranes not united, free from the
isthmus; branchiostegals about six; pseudobranchial large. An adipose
eyelid. No lateral line. Dorsal fin about midway of the body, usually
behind ventrals. Pectorals and ventrals moderate, each with an accessory
scale. Anal very long and low; caudal forked. No adipose fin. Verte-
bree, forty-nine. Stomach short, muscular, like the gizzard of a fowl.

Genus DOROSOMA. (Gizzarp SHAD.)

Body herring-like, much compressed and covered with moderately
large, thin, cycloid scales. Snout short and obtuse. Head scaleless, short
and small. Eye large and provided with an adipose eyelid. The belly
is compressed to an edge, which is armed with sharp serratures. Mouth
small, transverse; the lower jaw the shorter, jaws toothless. The maxilla
does not extend to the middle of the eye. Gill rakers numerous, moderately
long and slender; gill membranes C-aply cleft and free from the isthmus ;
pseudobranchiz well developed; lateral line wanting. The dorsal fin is
placed nearly over the middle of the body, slightly behind the origin of
the ventral. Its last ray is produced into a long filament. The pectorals
and ventrals are rather long and each is provided with an appendage
formed of several elongate, overlapping accessory scales. The caudal is
deeply forked. Anal very long, its last rays low.

(59) Gizzard Shad.

(Dorosoma cepedianum.)

Body deep, compressed; the scales thin, deciduous ; head small ; snout
short, blunt; mandible enlarged at base; gill rakers very slender, not very
long ; an adipose eyelid. Dorsal about median, the filamentous ray nearly
as long as head. Caudal widely forked, the lower lobe longer than upper ;
belly sharply serrate.

Colour, upper parts bluish; sides silvery, sometimes with golden reflec-
tions; in the young there is a large dark blotch on each side not far behind
the head; this disappears with age.

Length, about fifteen inches; it sometimes attains a weight of about
two pounds.

FISH OF ONTARIO.

on
oo

This fish has worked its way from the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys
through the canals to Lake Erie, where in some places it is not uncommon.
It is a handsome species, but is of no value for food.

Famity CLUPEIDAZ. (THE HErRRINGS.)

Body oblong, or elongate, more or less compressed, covered with
cycloid or pectinated scales. Belly sometimes rounded, sometimes com-
pressed, in which case it is often armed with bony serratures. Head
naked, usually compressed. Mouth rather large, terminal, the jaws about
equal; maxillaries forming the lateral margins of the upper jaw, each com-
posed of about three pieces. Premaxillaries not protractile ; teeth mostly
small, often feeble or wanting, variously arranged. Adipose eyelid pre-
sent or absent. Gill rakers long and slender; gill membranes not con-
nected, free from the isthmus. No gular plate. Gills four, a slit behind
the fourth. Branchiostegals usually few (six to fifteen). Posterior lower
part of opercular region often with an angular emargination, the tips of
the larger branchiostegals being abruptly truncate. Pseudobranchia
present. No lateral line. Dorsal fin median or somewhat posterior, rarely
wanting. No adipose fin. Ventrals moderate or small. Anal usually
rather long; caudal fin forked. Vertebre, forty to fifty-six.

Genus POMOLOBUS. (ALEwivEs.)

Body oblong, more or less compressed; mouth moderate, terminal,
the jaws about equal, or the lower projecting, the upper scarcely notched
at tip; teeth feeble, variously placed, probably never wholly absent, man-
dibles very deep at base, shutting within the maxillaries; gill rakers more
or less long and slender, numerous; adipose eyelid present; scales thin,
cycloid, deciduous, entire, rounded posteriorly ; cheeks with the free part
longer than deep; dorsal fin rather short, nearly median, beginning in
advance of ventrals, its posterior ray not prolonged in a filament; ventrals
present; anal moderate; belly compressed, strongly serrated before and
behind ventrals.

(60) Gold Shad. Sawbelly.

(Pomolobus chrysochloris. )

Body compressed, rather low, the caudal peduncle stout and the belly
strongly serrated; head slender, rather pointed, lower jaw strongly pro-
jecting, maxillary reaching posterior part of the eye. Eye large, nearly
one-fourth the length of head; fins moderate, caudal deeply forked. Scales,
15-52 to 58.

Berl ere ey. eel heen oe

Colour, above blue; below silvery, with golden reflections on sides.
Length, about eighteen inches.

a4 CHECK LIST OF THE

The Gold Shad has made its way into the Great Lakes through canals
from the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys, where it is abundant.

Unlike most of its tribe, this is a predaceous fish, feeding largely
upon small fry. It may be readily captured with minnow bait, but as a food
fish it is not esteemed.

(61) Gaspereau. Alewife.
(Pomolobus pseudoharengus. )

Body deep and heavy forward, much compressed. Head short, nearly
as deep as long; eye large, deeper than long. Maxillary broad; upper jaw
emarginate, lower jaw slightly projecting. Anal low; caudal deeply forked,
partially scaled near base. Scales, 15-50 to 54. D., 16; Auf 17 toni;

Colour, above bluish; silvery on sides; a black spot behind head. On
large specimens there are faint dusky lines along the rows of scales.

Length, about ten inches, or rather more; in Lake Ontario, however,
they rarely exceed eight inches in length.

This fish is said to have been introduced into Lake Ontario in 1873
by mistake, the intention having been to stock the water with shad.
Whether this is correct or not, the Gaspereau is now firmly established
here, and in spite of the vast numbers which die every summer, it seems
to be increasing. From early in March until early in November they are
to be found near the shores of Lake Ontario and in the St. Lawrence, but
are at the height of their abundance during June and July, and it is during
these months that the great mortality takes place, millions of dead fish
being cast up on the shore and the surface of the water being liberally
strewed with the dead and dying. Where they go in the cold months of
winter is uncertain, probably only into the deep water of the lake, though
it is possible that they may work their way down to the Gulf of St. Law-
rence.

They are eatable, but being small and bony are not much appreciated.

Genus ALOSA. (THE SHapD.)

Body deep, compressed, deeper than in related American genera; the
head also deep; the free portion of the cheeks deeper than long; jaws
wholly toothless (except in young); upper jaw with a sharp, deep notch
at tip, the premaxillaries meeting at a very acute angle.

(62) Shad.

(Alosa sapidissima. )

Body deep; mouth large, with the jaws about equal; gill rakers very
long and slender. In the female the dorsal originates a little in front of
the middle of the length, in the male somewhat farther in front. The
dorsal of the male is rather higher than that of the female, while the body
is not so deep. Scales, 16-60 to 65. The dorsal has thirteen divided rays
and four simple, and the anal nineteen divided and three simple.

(smPuaimyopnasd snqojomoc ) “nvodedsery

SRI)

FISH OF ONTARIO. 55

Colour, bluish above; sides and below silvery; usually a dark. blotch
behind opercle and often several in a row behind this; peritoneum pale.

The Shad is an anadromous fish which passes most of its life in the
ocean, migrating annually up the rivers for the purpose of spawning in
the spring. It was formerly abundant in the lower Ottawa, but has
abandoned that river and its occurrence within our boundaries is now only
accidental.

As a food fish it ranks very high, being one of the most esteemed fish
of America.

Famity SALMONIDA:. (THE SaLmons.)

Body oblong or elongate, covered with cycloid scales. Head naked.
Mouth terminal, large or small, varying much in the different genera;
maxillary forming the lateral margin of the upper jaw, provided with a
supplemental bone; premaxillaries not pretractile. Teeth various, some-
times wanting. Gills four, a slit behind the fourth. Pseudobranchia
present. Gill rakers various; gill membranes not connected, free from the
isthmus; branchiostegals ten to twenty. No barbels. Dorsal usually
nearly median, not greatly elongate, its rays nine to fifteen, only one or
two of the anterior simple or rudimentary, the others branched; adipose
fin present; caudal fin forked; anal fin moderate or rather long; ventrals
moderate, nearly median; pectorals placed low. Lateral line present.
Abdomen rounded in outline. Parietals not in contact; separated at middle
by the intervention of the supraoccipital, which connects with the frontals ;
epiplural appendages not developed. Air bladder large, stomach siphonal ;
pyloric ceca very numerous. Ova large, falling into the cavity of the
abdomen before exclusion.

As now restricted, this is no longer one of the large families of fishes,
put in beauty, activity, gaminess and quality as food and even in size of
individuals, different members of the group stand easily among the most
valuable of our fishes.

The Salmonidz are confined to the northern regions and north of
about 40° N. are everywhere abundant in suitable waters. Some of the
species, especially the larger ones, are marine and anadromous, living
and growing in the sea and entering fresh waters to spawn; others live
in running brooks, entering lakes or the sea as occasion serves, but not
habitually doing so; while others, again, are lake fishes, approaching the
shore or entering brooks in the spawning season, at other times retiring
to waters of considerable depth. Some of them are active, voracious and
gamy, while others are comparatively defenceless, these latter can rarely
be captured upon a baited hook.

The large size of the eggs and their lack of adhesiveness, with the
ease by which the eggs may be obtained and impregnated, render the most
of the species especially adapted for artificial culture.

6 F.

56 CHECK LIST OF THE

The Salmonidz are of comparatively recent evolution, none of them
occurring as fossils, unless it be in recent deposits. The instability of the
specific forms and the lack of sharply defined specific characters may be
in part attributed to their recent origin.

GENUS COREGONUS. (WHITEFISHES.)

Body oblong or elongate, compressed; head more or less conical,
compressed, the snout more or less projecting beyond the lower jaw ; mouth
small, the maxillary short, not extending beyond the orbit, with a well
developed supplemental bone; teeth extremely minute, if present; scales
moderate, thin, cycloid, rather firm. Dorsal fin moderate; caudal fin
deeply forked; anal fin somewhat elongate; ventrals well developed.
Pseudobranchiz large; gill rakers varying from short and thickish to long
and slender; air bladder very large; vertebra, fifty-six to sixty; stomach
horseshoe-shaped, with about one hundred pyloric caca; ova small.

Most of them spawn in late fall or winter near the shore, at other
seasons often frequenting considerable depths.

The number of species of Coregonus has been overestimated and the
geographical range and range of variation of each one are much wider
than is generally supposed.

All our species are highly valued as food and they probably constitute
the most important class commercially of our fresh water fish.

SuscENnus PROSOPIUM.
(63) Frost-fish. Round Whitefish.

(Coregonus quadrilateralis. )

Body slender, elongate, subterete; head long, the snout compressed
and bluntly pointed. Scales, 9-385-8. D., 11;-A., 10:

Colour, upper parts dark bluish; sides silvery.

Length, about twelve inches; it seldom attains much more than one
and a-half pounds in weight.

The Frost-fish is abundant in the Great Lake region from the St.
Lawrence to Lake Superior and northward, and is everywhere highly
esteemed as a food fish.

It spawns in October and November, visiting the shallow parts of
lakes and sandbars for that purpose.

SUBGENUS COREGONUS.

(64) Common Whitefish.
(Coregonus clupeiformis.)

Body deep, compressed; back always more or less elevated, notably
so in the adult; caudal peduncle short; head small and short, the snout
blunt and obliquely truncated. Scales, 8-74 to 80-9. Dorsal, ten divided
rays; anal, eleven divided rays.

(‘s1pdajppaponb snwobaiog ) “YSY-JSOd

(srmlofiadnjs snuohr1o) ) “Ysye ty AA WoUIUTO,)

aay

FISH OF ONTARIO.

a |

Or

Colour, upper parts pale olivaceous; sides and below white, some-
what lustrous.

This Whitefish under favourable circumstances reaches a large size.
One taken in Lake Erie a few years ago measured thirty-three inches in
length, twenty-five inches in cicumference, and weighed twenty pounds.
One taken at Whitefish Point, Lake Superior, weighed twenty-three
pounds. Another taken in Lake Erie in 1876 weighed seventeen pounds.
Such fish are, however, now very rare in this Province. In Manitoba
they are less uncommon, The average length of adults on our markets in
these days will be about twenty inches and the weight about three pounds
or a little more.

It ranges through the Great Lakes region from the St. Lawrence to
Lake Superior, and thence westward to Alaska; where it is replaced by a
closely allied form; its northern limit is not positively known.

Although this is one of the most abundant and at the same time the
most valuable of our commercial fish, its habits are not yet fully under-
stood; undoubtedly they vary very much according to locality; the depth
of water, currents or their absence, and climatic conditions all having
some influence on the movements of the fish in search of food, and upon
the time and place of spawning. In some of our lakes there is a move-
ment of the Whitefish in early summer from the deep water into shoal
water near the shore; towards midsummer they retreat to the deep and
cold parts of the lake, where they spend most of their time. In the autumn
they again move in towards the shore, seeking their spawning grounds;
these are chiefly rocky reefs and shoals, composed of what is known as
honeycomb rock. It is said that gravelly and sandy shoals are sometimes
resorted to for spawning purposes, but this is doubtful.

Spawning takes place in October and November and may possibly be
extended by some few individuals, or under exceptional circumstances,
into December; both the time of spawning and of incubation depend
largely upon the temperature.

The autumn movement commences in September, but does not
become general until October; the fish then continue to run in greater or
less numbers until the spawning is ended, when they again retire to deep
water for the winter. It is a curious fact that even during the spawning
season a large number of Whitefish are always to be found in the deep
water, but there is no evidence that they ever spawn there.

(65) Sault Whitefish.

(Coregonus labradoricus. )

Head, five; depth, three and a half to four; eye large. Gill rakers
short, about two to two and a half in eye, 10+15 or 16.

Body rather elongate, compressed, the back not elevated. Head
rather small, slender, compressed. Mouth rather small, the lower jaw
short, snout projecting; the maxillary reaching front of pupil; maxillary

58 CHECK LIST OF THE

bone broad, rather short, its supplementary piece ovate. Mandible reach-
ing middle of eye. Tongue with about three series of small teeth. Supra-
orbital bone narrow. Dorsal fin high in front, the last rays short.

ID 1d. Or 212); A. bison 1262 Scales: si0-716tou76-0:

Colour, bluish black above; silvery below; scales with dark punctula-
tions on the edges; fins all dusky, pectorals and ventrals pale at the base.

Length, twenty-one inches.

A very variable species, by some authorities considered indistinguish-
able from C. clupeiformis.

Generally distributed in cold, clear lakes and large streams, especially
northward.

Genus ARGYROSOMUS: ‘(CiscoEs.)

This genus is very close to Coregonus, from which it differs in the
larger mouth and more produced jaws, the premaxillaries being placed
nearly horizontally, and the lower jaw decidedly projecting beyond them.
Gill rakers very long and slender, about thirty on lower limb; vertebra,
fifty-five. These characters are associated with the geater voracity, and
in general greater activity of the species of Argyrosomus.

SuBGENUS ARGYROSOMUS.

(66) Cisco. Lake Herring.

(Argyrosomus artedi.)

Body long, slender, and somewhat compressed; dorsal and ventral
outlines but little arched; head pointed; mouth large, jaws subequal or
the lower somewhat projecting; maxillary long, usually reaching to ver-
tical of pupil. Caudal peduncle slender, but not much compressed; dorsal
fin small; adipose fin slender, its width one-half its height.

D., 11; A., 10 (counting only divided rays in dorsal and anal); V., 10.
Colour, above dull bluish green; lower part of sides and below silvery

white. Dorsal fin sometimes black tipped; caudal dusky at tip; anal and
ventrals pure white.

This species attains a length of about twelve inches and a weight of
about one pound. Larger specimens have been recorded, but they are
exceptional.

The Cisco ranges through the Great Lakes generally, but is most
abundant in Lake Erie; it was formerly common in Lake Ontario. Of late
years, however, it has not been taken there in any quantity. Its spawning
season is in November and early December.

(UpolD Sruosouby) “SUL PL OY’

FISH OF ONTARIO. 59

(67) Long-jaw Herring. Lake Herring.

(Argyrosomus prognathus. )

Body oblong, much compressed, back elevated, the body tapering
rather sharply toward the narrow caudal peduncle; the adult having a
slight nuchal hump as in C. clupeiformis; mouth large and strong; snout
straight, its tip on a level with the lower edge of pupil; mandible very
long, projecting beyond upper jaw when the mouth is closed; reaching to
or beyond posterior edge of the eye; head rather short, deep and pointed;
cranial ridges prominent, dorsal rather high; origin of dorsal nearer tip of
snout than base of caudal. Scales rather large, about seventy-five in
lateral line; seven or eight above the lateral line; seven or eight below the
lateral line. Lateral line straight except at origin, where it presents a
rather marked curve.

Colour, sides of body uniformly bright silvery, with pronounced bluish
reflection in life; back dusky; under parts pure white, without silvery.
Above the lateral line the upper and lower edges of the scales finely punc-
tulate with dark, the central part unmarked, producing light longitudinal
stripes extending whole length of body. Fins flesh colour or pinkish in
life, the dorsal and caudal usually showing dusky edges; postorbital area
with bright golden reflection; iris golden, pupil black.

DO sOLelO} wen TOntouio-

Average length, about fifteen inches.

This fish may readily be distinguished from any other white fish found
in the Great Lakes by the general form of its body, together with the very
long lower jaw.

It is taken in all the Great Lakes except Lake Erie, from which as yet
no specimens have been reported. In Lakes Ontario and Michigan it is
particularly abundant, and is highly esteemed as a food fish.

There is much difference of opinion among fishermen as to the spawn-
ing time of the Long-jaw, which seems to extend over a prolonged period.
Fish with matured roe have been taken as early as May 17th, and ripe
fish have also been reported from Lakes Ontario and Huron late in June
and through July. Very little is positively known as to the location of the
spawning grounds of this species, though it is said that they are in deep
water.

(68) Black-fin Whitefish.
(Argyrosomus nigripinnis. )

Body stout, fusiform; head and mouth large; lower jaw slightly
projecting ; back not arched, profile from occiput to origin of dorsal fin
very gently curved; eye rather large; teeth very feeble, but appreciable on
the maxillaries and tongue.

Dasa es Axe 2:

Scales on lateral line, 73 to 77, above lateral line nine or ten, below
seven or eight.

60 CHECK LIST OF THE

Colour, dark bluish above; sides silvery, with dark punctulations ;
fins all blue-black.

This species may be readily known by its black fins.

During the last few years the Black-fin has been occasionally reported
from Lake Superior; its centre of abundance, however, appears to be
Lake Michigan and the deep water lakes of Minnesota and Wisconsin.

In its habits it resembles the other members of the group, swimming
in shoals and depositing its spawn upon rocky bottom in November and
December.

It reaches a length of eighteen to twenty inches and is considered a
good food fish.

SUBGENUS ALLOSOMUS.
(69) Tullibee. Mongrel Whitefish.

(Argyrosomus tullibee. )

Body short and deep compressed, the dorsal and ventral outlines
similarly curved; head small, conic and compressed; mouth large, lower
jaw slightly projecting. Scales larger on front of body than on caudal
peduncle; free margins of the scales less convex than in other species,
often emarginate, especially on anterior part of body. Lateral line straight
and in a line with upper rim of. orbit; tongue with a patch of fine teeth
near the tip; gill rakers numerous, long and slender.

De TOMtOrl 2 Ae TaOipn2s

Scales on lateral line, 68 to 74, eight or nine rows above and seven
or eight below.

Colour, iridescent bluish above, sides and under parts silvery; old
individuals darker above, with some golden reflections on side; fins more
or less evidently black tipped ; upper edge of pectoral margined with black.

From all other Whitefishes the Tullibee may be distinguished by the
short steep body and the closely imbricated scales. It attains a length of
eighteen or twenty inches and a weight of about three and a half pounds.
As a food fish it is highly esteemed, but its commercial importance is as
yet limited.

This species is usually called the Tullibee, but it is sometimes styled
the “Mongrel Whitefish’’ on the erroneous supposition that it is a cross
between the Whitefish and the Lake Herring.

In the Great Lakes it is not at all common, occurring 1n limited num-
bers in Lakes Erie and Superior only, but in the Lake of the Woods and
through Manitoba and Assiniboia it is abundant.

Mr. F. C. Gilchrist, in describing the habits of this fish in Western
Canada, says: ‘‘In September they will be found gradually nearing the
shoal water, feeding heavily, plump with fat and the now swelling ovaries.
Later on they appear to eat little or nothing and devote all their time to
playing until about the 25th of October, when they settle down to the

(*jps Omppy) — “uOUTRg OF|URLLYy

FISH OF ONTARIO. 61

business of propagation, which is finished by November 1oth. ‘They prefer
shallow water close to the shore, with clean sand to spawn on, and during
the day they may be seen in pairs and small schools, poking along the
shores, but at night they come in thousands and keep up a constant loud
splashing and fluttering, very strange and weird on a calm night. Two
years ago I| carefully counted the ova from a ripe fish two and a half pounds
in weight, and found there were 23,700, closely resembling Whitefish eggs
in appearance, but somewhat smaller. After spawning the fish are very
thin, lank, dull in colour, and quite unfit for human food.”’

Genus SALMO. (SaLtmMon AND TROUT.)

Body elongate, somewhat compressed; mouth large, jaws, palatines
and tongue toothed, vomer flat, its shaft not depressed, a few teeth on the
chevron of the vomer, behind which is a somewhat irregular single or
double series of teeth, which in the migratory forms are usually deciduous
with age; scales large or small, one hundred and ten to two hundred in a
longitudinal series; dorsal and anal fins short, usually of ten to twelve
rays each; caudal fin truncate, emarginate or forked, its peduncle com-
paratively stout; sexual peculiarities variously developed, the males in
typical species with the jaws prolonged and the front teeth enlarged, the
lower jaw being hooked upward at the end and the upper jaw emarginate
or perforate. In the larger and migratory species these peculiarities are
most marked. Species of moderate or large size, black spotted.

SUBGENUS SALMO.

(70) Atlantic Salmon.
(Salmo salar.)

Body moderately elongate, symmetrical, not much compressed; head
rather low and comparatively small; mouth moderate, the maxillary reach-
ing just past the eye; in the young the maxillary is proportionately shorter.
Scales comparatively large, rather larger posteriorly, silvery and well
imbricated in the young, becoming embedded in the adult males.

Colour: In the adult the upper parts are brownish or grayish, the
sides silvery. Numerous x or x x shaped black spots on the upper half
of the body, side of the head and on the fins. Males in the breeding sea-
son have red blotches along the sides. In the young there are from ten to
twelve dark crossbars mingled with red blotches and black spots. D., 11
divided rays and 3 rudiments; A., g divided rays and 3 rudiments. Scales,
2Q el 20,2 1.

In the early pioneer days the Atlantic Salmon was abundant in the
St. Lawrence and the Lake Ontario waters as far as Niagara Falls, which
formed an insurmountable obstacle to their further progress. They may
now, however, be considered as extinct in this Province. The destruction

62 CHECK LIST OF THE

of the timber along the banks of the rivers and the consequent pollution
of the water having fouled the spawning beds to such an extent that the
fish can no longer resort to them. An occasional specimen is taken in
Lake Ontario by the fisherman, but these visitors are probably merely
wanderers from the hatcheries below. The range of the Salmon in Canada
extends from Quebec eastward through the Maritime Provinces, thence
northward along the Atlantic coast to Hudson Strait, and for about one
hundred miles down the east coast of Hudson Bay.

The usual weight of the Atlantic Salmon ranges up to about forty
pounds, but specimens of sixty or more have been taken. The greater
part of its growth takes place in the ocean, in which the fish spends about
half its life. In the spring or early summer the adults enter rivers, work-
ing their way up to shallow water, on a sandy or gravelly bottom. On
this the eggs are deposited in late autumn, the spawning season beginning
about the middle of October, and it may continue until December. The
eggs are large, about a quarter of an inch in diameter, and very numerous,
an eight-pound female yielding from five to six thousand eggs and heavier
fish a proportionately greater number. The hatching period ranges from
one hundred and forty to two hundred days, depending upon the tempera-
ture. When newly hatched the fry are about three-fourths of an
inch long. At two or three months old and about two inches long,
they begin to show the vermillion spots and dark cross bands and are
then called “‘parr’’; this name and colouration they retain while they
remain in fresh water. In the second or third spring they assume a uni-
form bright silvery colour and descend to the sea, at this stage being
known as ‘‘smolt.’’ After remaining in salt water for a period varying
from a few months to about two years, the fish may return to their native
river, either as a “‘grilse’’ or ‘‘salmon’’ weighing from two to six pounds.
Towards winter they again return to the sea, and from this time forward
the migration from the sea to river head waters is performed annually.

It is generally assumed that salmon take no food while in fresh water,
yet they certainly rise readily enough to the artificial lure of the angler,
more particularly when fresh run from the sea; therefore it seems probable
that in the early part of the season the fish will feed, but that as spawning
time approaches they, like some other species, cease to have any desire
for food and devote themselves to the duties of reproduction entirely, for
while on the spawning ground and after the ova are deposited the salmon
grow lank and thin, losing all their beauty. In this condition they are
‘“‘kelts’’? and valueless as food.

SuBGENUS TRUTTA.
(71) Steelhead Salmon.
(Salmo gairdneri.)
Body elongate, little compressed, much like S. salar in form; caudal
peduncle short; head rather short, maxilla reaching far behind the eye.

Pe a
aaa

is

te Oe
v1 ¥, . ; “ -

eek

(cysnohiniuny saaownsity) “qno4y, Sia |

FISH OF ONTARIO. 63

Eye small. Teeth rather small; vomerines in two long, alternating series,
about as long as the palatine series; gill rakers short and stout; about
twenty, on the first arch of which twelve are below the angle; dorsal origin
much nearer to tip of snout than to base of caudal; adipose fin very small
and narrow, over the beginning of the anal; caudal fin moderately forked
in the young; ventral origin midway between tip of snout and base of
caudal.

D., 11; A., 12. Colour, olive green above, sides silvery, head, back,
dorsal and caudal fins profusely covered with small black spots, no red
between the rami of the lower jaw.

I mention this fish because it has been introduced with marked suc-
cess into Lake Superior and tributary waters by the United States Fish
Commission, and specimens have been taken on our side of the lake, where
it is to be hoped it will find a congenial habitat, for it ranks very high as
a game and food fish, attaining under favourable circumstances a weight
of about twenty pounds.

Genus CRISTIMOVER. (Lake Trout.)

This genus contains one, or perhaps two, species, large, coarse
Charrs, distinguished from Salvelinus by the presence of a raised crest
behind the head of the vomer and free from the shaft; this crest is armed
with teeth. The hyoid teeth constitute a strong cardiform band. The
typical species is a large Charr, spotted with gray, and found in the larger
lakes of eastern North America.

(72) Lake Trout. Salmon Trout. Gray Trout. Togue. Tuladi.
(Cristimover namaycush.)

Body long; caudal peduncle slender; head long, its upper surface
flattened ; eye large, placed near top of head; mouth very large, the maxil-
lary extending much beyond the eye; the origin of dorsal midway between
tip of snout and root of tail; caudal fin well forked; adipose fin small;
teeth very strong.

Dr Onto,1e. A @ tO) tte Scales, about, 200, on lateral line:

The colouration is extremely variable, generally grayish, sometimes
pale and sometimes almost black, everywhere with rounded pale spots
which are often reddish tinged; on the back and top of the head there are
fine vermiculations resembling those of the Brook Trout. The dorsal and
caudal with pale spots and dark markings.

This species is found in nearly all the large lakes from New Bruns-
wick west to British Columbia and north from Labrador through the
Hudson’s Bay country to Alaska. It is the largest species of the family
resident in fresh water, reaching a length of several feet and a weight of
sixty pounds or even more, though specimens exceeding twenty pounds
are now rare.

64 CHECK LIST OF THE

The Lake Trout is one of the most rapacious of our fishes and will
devour almost anything, though its principal food consists of Herrings,
young Whitefish, and other soft-finned fishes. It frequents deep waters
and is usually taken near the bottom. The spawning season varies some-
what according to locality. In Lake Superior it commences early in Octo-
ber, while in other lakes it is deferred until November, and continues into
December. The spawning grounds are on the reefs of honeycomb rock
in from ten to one hundred feet of water.

There is a great difference of opinion as to its value as a game fish.
Some anglers consider it affords a great deal of sport; others have no
regard for it. I agree with the latter, having always found it a heavy,
lumpish fish, with no fight in it. Commercially, however, it is of great
importance, being always in demand and furnishes an excellent article of
food.

The variety Siscowet (C. n. siscowet) differs from the common Lake
Trout in having a deeper body, which is covered with a thicker skin,
beneath which is a great development of fatty tissue. The scales are
somewhat larger and the colour usually paler. It is most frequently taken
in Lake Superior, though examples are sometimes found in Lakes Huron
and Erie.

Genus SALVELINUS. (Cuarrs.)

Body moderately elongate; mouth large or small; teeth of jaws, pala-
tines, and tongue essentially as in Salmo, the hyoid patch present or not;
vomer boat-shaped, the shaft much depressed, without raised crest, with
teeth on the head of the bone and none on the shaft; scales very small,
two hundred to two hundred and fifty in a lengthwise series ; fins moderate,
the caudal forked in the young, truncate in some species in the adult;
sexual peculiarities not strongly marked, the males with the premaxillaries
enlarged and a fleshy projection at the tip of the lower jaw. Colouration
dark, with round crimson spots, the lower fins sometimes with marginal
bands of black, reddish and pale.

The species of this genus are by far the most active and handsome of
the Trout; and live in the coldest, clearest and most secluded waters.
Some of them occasionally descend to the sea, where they lose their varie-
gated colours and become nearly plain and silvery.

(73) Brook Trout.

(Salvelinus fontinalis.)

The Brook Trout varies very much in the shape of the body, which
is sometimes short and deep and sometimes long and thin. Head large,
snout somewhat obtuse; mouth large; eye large, somewhat above axis of
the body; caudal fin slightly lunate in the adult, forked in the young;
adipose fin small and stout.

(‘sypinjuof snuyaagy) -qnoay, Yoorg

FISH OF ONTARIO. 65

DAO eA, ©, Scales on lateral line: 225 to 235-

The colouration is highly variable with age and locality. Upper parts
usually grayish, much mottled or barred with dark olive or black without
spots; on the sides numerous pale brownish blotches encircle small scarlet
spots. Dorsal and caudal fins mottled with darker; lower fins dusky with
a creamy white band anteriorly followed by a black streak; belly of the
male often more or less red; sea run fish are often plain bright silvery.

Brook Trout were formerly found in all the clear spring streams, and
lakes fed by them, throughout the Province, but of late years, owing to
the pollution of our waters and excessive fishing, its range is restricted to
the unsettled districts, and except where it is artificially propagated and
preserved it has ceased to exist in southern Ontario. As a game and food
fish it is unexcelled, and angling for it is one of the most fascinating of
outdoor sports. The size attained by this fish depends largely upon its
habitat and food. In small streams it may mature at a length of six or

eight inches and a weight of only a few ounces, while in large bodies of

water, with an abundant food supply, they will reach eighteen inches or
more in length and a weignt of from six to eight pounds. In Lake Nepi-
gon and some of the rivers of that famous district very large fish are still
commonly taken.

In the cool days of late autumn the Brook Trout run up to the head
waters of the streams and there on the gravelly shallows deposit their
ova; the spawning season extending from September in the north to
December in the south. The number of eggs produced depends upon the
age and size of the fish. Yearlings (that is, fish in their second year) will
produce from fifty to two hundred and fifty ova, while a large fish may
produce as many as fifteen hundred. The eggs are about three-sixteenths
of an inch in diameter and of a warm orange colour. The period of hatch-
ing depends upon the temperature of the water, ranging from thirty-two
days in water at 54° to one hundred and sixty-five days in water at 37°.

In the early part of the summer Trout frequent the ripples and shal-
lower parts of the streams, but as the temperature rises and hot weathe:
sets in they retire to the deeper pools or the vicinity of cold springs, where
they remain until the return of autumn starts them up stream again.

Though commonly called Brook Trout, our fish is really a Charr and
is Closely allied to, if not identical with, the famous Charr of North Britain
and the continent of Europe.

Order HAPLOMI. (Pike-like Fishes.)

Soft-rayed fishes with the mesocoracoid wanting; the coracoids nor-
mally developed, and the post-temporal normally attached to the cranium.
Parietal bones separated by the supraoccipital. Symplectic present. Oper-
cular bones well developed. Anterior vertebree unmodified. Scapular
arch joined to the cranium by a post-temporal. Hypocoracoid and hyper-
coracoid separate with developed actinosts. Pharyngeal bones distinct,
the superior directed forward, three or four in number, the inferior not

66 CHECK LIST OF THE

falciform. No interclavicles. Mouth with teeth. Air bladder with a dis-
tinct duct. Ventral fins abdominal, rarely wanting; pectoral fins placed
low; dorsal fin more or less posterior, the first ray occasionally stiffened
and spine-like; no adipose fin.. Head usually covered with scales, like
those on the body. Species chiefly inhabiting fresh water.

Famity UMBRIDZ. (Mup Minnows.)

Body oblong, broad anteriorly, compressed behind. Head large,
flattened above. Mouth moderate, with bands of villiform or cardiform
teeth on premaxillaries, lower jaw, vomer, and palatines; premaxillaries
not protractile; lateral margin of upper jaw, formed by the broad, short,
maxillaries, which are toothless and without distinct supplemental
bone; lower jaw the longer. Gill openings wide, the membranes scarcely
connected; gill rakers little developed; branchiostegals six to eight.
Scales moderate, cycloid, covering head and body; lateral line wanting.
Dorsal fin moderate, posterior, in advance of anal; ventrals small, close
to anal; pectorals inserted low; caudal fin rounded. Stomach without
blind sac; no pyloric ceca; pseudobranchie hidden, glandular; air
bladder simple. Oviparous fishes, the sexes similar. Carnivorous fishes
of small size, living in mud, or among weeds, at the bottom of clear,
sluggish streams and ponds; extremely tenacious of life.

Genus UMBRA. (MupFISHEs.)

Body oblong, covered with cycloid scales of moderate size, without
radiating striz; no lateral line; head shortish, little depressed; eye rather
small; cleft of mouth moderate; ventral fins six-rayed, below or slightly
in front of dorsal; anal fin much shorter than dorsal; pectorals rather
narrow, rounded, placed low, with twelve to fifteen rays, which are much
articulated ; caudal rounded; preopercle and preorbital with mucous pores ;
branchiostegals six; gill rakers rather short, thick. Size small.

SusBGENUuS MELANURA.

Mud Minnow. (Umbra lini. )

(74) Mud Minnow. Do§fish.
(Umbra limi.)

Body comparatively short and stout. Head rather large, flattened
above. Ventral fins slightly before dorsal; anal much smaller than dorsal.

FISH OF ONTARIO. 67

Colour, dull olive green, with about fourteen narrow pale bars (faint
in young), a black bar at the base of the caudal.

Common and generally distributed in muddy streams and inlets. The
name is said to be derived from a habit this fish has of burrowing into the
mud when the water evaporates from the ditches and ponds it frequents.
It is seldom seen in clear water, preferring to hide at all times under
stones or among weeds. It reaches a length of about four inches.

Wierd As. 19; Ve.16; scales on lateral lime’ 35, ini transverse series 15-

Famity LUCIIDAS. (PIKEs.)

Body elongate, not elevated, more or less compressed posteriorly,
hroad anteriorly. Head long, the snout prolonged and depressed. Mouth
very large, its cleft forming about half the length of the head; lower jaw
the longer; upper jaw not protractile, most of its margin formed by the
maxillaries, which are quite long and provided with a supplemental bone ;
premaxillaries, vomer and palatines, with broad bands of strong cardiform
teeth which are more or less movable; lower jaw with strong teeth of dif-
ferent sizes ; tongue with a band of smali teeth. Head naked above ; cheeks
and opercles more or less scaly; gill openings very wide; gill membranes
separate, free from the isthmus; gill rakers tubercle-like, toothed ; branchi-
ostegals twelve to twenty. Scales small; lateral line weak, obsolete in
young specimens, developed in the adult. Dorsal posterior, opposite and
similar to anal; caudal fin emarginate; pectoral fins small, inserted low ;
ventrals rather posterior ; vent normal ; no adipose fin; no barbels ; stomach
not cecal, without pyloric appendages; pseudobranchie glandular, hid-
den; air bladder simple. Basis cranii double. Fishes of moderate or
large size.

Genus LUCIUS. (PIKEs.)

The genus Lucius is subdivided into three groups, distinguished by
their size, scaling, and colouration. In the first group are three species
of small Pike (commonly called by the Americans Pickerel), in which the
cheeks and opercles are entirely scaly, the colour is greenish, usually with
dark reticulations and the largest species reaches a length of about two
feet. To this group the subgeneric name Kenoza is applied. Only one
of these species has come under my observation in this Province, and it is
probably very rare here.

In the subgenus Lucius we have only the Common Pike (also called
Pickerel by our American neighbors), the typical species of the genus,
which has the cheeks fully scaled and the lower half of the opercles naked.
The sides are pale spotted, on a darker ground, and it grows to a much
larger size than any of the species of the Kenoza group.

The subgenus Mascalongus contains only the Mascalonge, the largest
member of the family. In this species the lower half of the cheeks as well
as of the opercles is scaleless, and the scales are smaller than in those of
the other groups.

68 CHECK LIST OF THE

SUBGENUS KENOZA.

(75) Green Pike.

(Lucius reticulatus. )

Body long and slender; caudal peduncle slender, its depth little more
than one-third of greatest depth of body. Snout long and pointed. Caudal
deeply forked.

Ds, 14°>to 155 °A., 13 toerg. SSeales on lateral dinevabout 125.) a ue
cheeks and opercles are completely scaled.

Colour, green of various shades, sometimes very dark; sides (often
with a golden lustre), marked with many dark lines and streaks which are
mostly horizontal and by their junction with one another produce a reticu-
lated appearance. A dark band below the eye. Fins plain.

This small Pike does not seem to be at all common in our waters. I
have taken a few in the neighbourhood of Toronto, but have not met with
it elsewhere. It should be found in suitable places in Lakes Erie and
Ontario. Its usual haunts are weedy streams, ponds and bays, where it
lies in wait for the fish, frogs, and other living creatures upon which it
preys. It is said under favourable circumstances to attain a length of two
feet and a weight of eight pounds, but those I have seen were never more
than half that size. As a food fish it is not generally appreciated, for its
flesh seems to have absorbed too strong a flavour of the weeds among
which it lives.

SuBGENUS LUCIUS.

(76) Common Pike. Northern Pike.
(Lucius lucius.)

Body elongate, but stout and well proportioned; head long, with well
produced snout; caudal peduncle nearly equal to one-half depth of body.
Eye nearly median. Mouth very large and strongly toothed; the tongue,
roof of mouth, pharynx and gill arches bristle with teeth in cardlike bands,
giving the fish extraordinary power in holding its prey. The dorsal and
anal fins are near the caudal. Ventral fin midway between tip of snout
and end of caudal fin.

D., 16 to 20; A., 16 to 17. Scales on lateral side about 125. Cheeks
entirely scaly; upper part of opercle scaly, the lower half bare.

General colour greenish gray, with many white or yellowish spots,
somewhat arranged in rows; dorsal, anal and caudal fins with roundish or
oblong black spots. Naked part of the opercle bounded by a whitish
streak.

Common and generally distributed throughout the Province in all
waters where there are sufficient weeds to afford it shelter.

The Pike is one of the most voracious of our fishes, feeding upon any
form of animal life which it is able to overpower. Under favourable cir-

(Lucius luctus. )

Common Pike.

FISH OF ONTARIO. 69

cumstances it attains a large size, specimens of more than forty pounds
weight having frequently been captured in Europe. In Canada it does
not grow so large, though in Manitoba, where it is commonly known as
‘‘Jackfish.’’ Fish of twenty pounds were not very uncommon a few years
ago. In Ontario it is so constantly pursued that it does not now get a
chance to attain its full dimensions, and Pike of over ten pounds’ weight
are becoming rare.

Spawning takes place in early spring, as soon as the ice breaks up;
the fish running up on to rush beds or grassy shallows for that purpose.
The females are very prolific, one weighing thirty-two pounds was esti-
mated by the late Professor Buckland to contain 595,000 ova.

Many anglers profess to look upon the Pike with contempt and treat
its claim to be considered a game fish with derision. This is because it is
usually taken by them in the summer months, when it is not in good con-
dition. It is then soft in flesh and weedy in flavour, but in the autumn,
after the weeds have died down, it is a different fish; then its flesh is firm
and good and its fighting powers will tax the angler’s skill to the utmost.

SuBcGENUS MASCALONGUS.

(77) Mascalonge. Lunge.
(Lucius masquinongy. )

Body elongate, though stout; caudal peduncle short and _ slender.
Head large; eye nearly in the middle of length of head. Mouth very
large, the maxilla extending to below the hind margin of the eye. The
teeth are as in the Pike, but even more formidable. Dorsal and anal fins
far back. Caudal deeply forked. D., 17; A., 15 to 16. Scales on lateral
line, 150; cheek and opercle scaled above, but both naked on their lower
half.

Colour, dark grey, greenish or brownish, always darker on the back,
lighter on the sides. Belly white or whitish. The fins usually have dusky
spots or blotches, the lower fins and caudal are sometimes reddish. The
body markings vary a great deal. In the young the upper half of the body
is covered with small round black spots, which usually change their shape
or disappear as the fish grow older. In mature fish the spots are more
diffuse, sometimes enlarging to an inch or more in diameter, or by coales-
cing, form vertical broad bands, while in others there are no distinct dark
markings. All these various markings are found in fish from the same
locality. The majority of Lunge in our waters are either unmarked or
show faint bars, the spotted form being the most uncommon.

The distribution of Mascalonge in our waters is somewhat irregular.
It is found in the St. Lawrence about the Thousand Islands, in the waters
of the Trent Valley, Lake Scugog, Lake Simcoe, and many of our inland
lakes, but I have no record of its occurrence in any of the Great Lakes

70 CHECK LIST OF THE

except Lake Erie and the Georgian Bay, where it is quite common. Its
northern range is not yet clearly defined, but does not probably extend
beyond the height of land.

Spawning takes place early in spring, soon after the ice goes out, in
shallow water about the reed beds. Here the females deposit a large
number of eggs, from which the fry hatch in from fifteen to thirty days,
according to temperature.

The ‘‘Lunge’”’ is, except at pairing time, a solitary fish, usually lying
concealed among aquatic plants at the sides of channels, or in open lakes,
beneath shelving rocks, from whence it darts upon every living thing
unfortunate enough to come within its reach and small enough to become
its prey.

When taken in the autumn, at which time it is in high condition, its
flesh is firm, flaky and of good flavour, and its fighting qualities at their
very best. In summer it affords comparatively little sport and its flesh is
apt to taste weedy.

Under favourable circumstances Mascallonge attain an immense size,
fish of eighty to one hundred pounds’ weight having been taken in various
places. We do not often see such monsters now, but specimens ranging
from thirty to fifty pounds are captured every season.

FamMity PCECILIIDAS. (THE KILLirisHEs.)

Body oblong, or moderately elongate, compressed behind, depressed
forward, covered with rather large cycloid scales, which are adherent and
regularly arranged. Lateral line wanting or represented by a few imper-
fect pores. Head scaly at least above. Mouth terminal, small, the lower
jaw usually projecting ; margin of the upper jaw formed by the premaxil-
laries only; premaxillaries strong, extremely protractile. Teeth incisor-
like or villiform, sometimes present on the vomer, but usually in the jaws
only; lower pharyngeals separate, with cardiform or rarely molar teeth;
third upper pharyngeal enlarged, the fourth wanting or united to the third.
Gill membranes somewhat connected, free from isthmus; gill rakers very
short, thick. Branchiostegals four to six. Pseudobranchiz none. Dorsal
fin single, inserted posteriorly, of soft rays only, rarely with a single spine,
or rudimentary spinous dorsal; caudal fin not forked; ventral fins abdom-
inal, rarely wanting; pectoral fins inserted low; no adipose fin. Stomach
siphonal, without pyloric appendages. Air bladder simple, often wanting.
Basis cranii simple. Sexes usually unlike, the fins being largest in the
males, but in some species the females are much the larger.

Genus FUNDULUS. (KILLIFISHEs.)

Body rather elongate, little elevated, compressed behind ; mouth mod-
erate, the lower jaw projecting; jaws each with two or more series of

(‘Hbuounbsnu snowy) -a8uopwoseyy

FISH OF ONTARIO. 71

pointed teeth, usually forming a narrow band, bones of the mandible
firmly united; scales moderate; gill opening not restricted above, the
opercle with its margin not adnate to shoulder girdle; preopercle, pre-
orbital, and mandible with mucous pores; dorsal and anal fins similar,
small, or rather large, the dorsal inserted either in front of, abcve, or
behind, the front of anal; ventrals well developed; air bladder present ;
sexes differing in colour, size and development of the fins, the anal fin in
the male normal; intestinal canal short; first superior pharyngeal without
teeth, second with teeth, third and fourth codssified, with teeth. Species
very numerous, mostly American, inhabiting fresh waters and arms of
the sea. They are oviparous.

SuBGENUS FONTINUS.

CAOYVLON A

Killifish. (Fundulus diaphanus. )

(78) Killifish. Fresh-water Killy.

(Fundulus diaphanus.)

Body rather slender; head flat above; mouth very protractile, small,
its width somewhat greater than the length of the lower jaw. fins low,
the dorsal midway between the tip of the snout and the root of the caudal.
The anal is wholly under the dorsal. Caudal large, convex behind.

D., 14; A., 12. - Scales on lateral line, 46.

The females are olivaceous, sides silvery, with fifteen to twenty-five
narrow dark crossbands; fins pale. In the breeding season the males are
olive with about twenty pearly white cross bars.

Abundant in bays and shallow inlets near the lakes; usually found
quite close to the shore line, associated in small shoals. A fairly good
bait fish, though not as attractive as the bright shiners and chub.

This species attains a length of about four inches.

Order HEMIBRANCHII. (The Half-gills.)

Interclavicles developed. Gills pectinate. Post-temporal simple, not
furcate; supraclavicle quite small. Superior pharyngeal bones reduced in

8 F.

72 CHECK LIST OF THE

number, the bones of the gill arches also reduced except in Gasterosteide ;
inferior pharyngeals present, not united. Ventral fins abdominal or sub-
abdominal, joined to the interclavicle, or else detached from it through
partial atrophy of the shoulder girdle. Mouth bounded above by premax-
illaries only ; shoulder girdle simple in structure. Basis of cranium simple
and without tube; four anterior vertebrae more or less elongate; snout
usually more or less produced, the small mouth at its end.

Famity GASTEROSTEID:. (THE STICKLEBACKS.)

Body more or less fusiform, somewhat compressed, tapering behind
to a slender caudal peduncle. Head moderate, the anterior part not greatly
produced, but all the bones of the suspensory apparatus somewhat leng-
thened. Mouth moderate, with the cleft oblique, the lower jaw prominent ;
maxillary bent at right angles and overlapping the premaxillary at corner
of mouth. Teeth sharp, even, in a narrow band in each jaw; no teeth on
vomer or palatines; premaxillaries protractile. Preorbital rather broad;
suborbital plate large, often covering the anterior part of the cheeks, form-
ing a connection with the preopercle. Branchiostegals three. Gill mem-
branes broadly joined, free from the isthmus, or not; gill rakers moderate
or rather long. Opercles unarmed. Skin naked or with vertically oblong
bony plates; no true scales. Dorsal fin preceded by two or more free
spines; anal similar to soft dorsal, with a single spine; ventral fins sub-
abdominal, consisting of a stout spine and one or two rudimentary rays.
Middle or sides of belly shielded by the pubic bones. Pectorals rather
short, unusually far behind the gill opening, preceded by a quadrate naked
area which is covered with shining skin, Caudal fin narrow, usually lun-
ate. Air bladder simple; a few pyloric ceca. Vertebra, thirty to thirty-
five; anterior vertebrz little enlarged. Small fishes inhabiting the fresh
waters and arms of the sea, noted for their pugnacity.

They are exceedingly destructive of the spawn and fry of larger
fishes.

Most of the Sticklebacks build elaborate nests, which the male fish
defends with much spirit. The species are extremely variable, being appar-
ently readily affected by changes in surroundings.

Genus EUCALIA. (Brook STICKLEBACKS.)

Fresh-water Sticklebacks, feebly armed ,the skin not mailed, the dorsal
spines few and nondivergent; the gill membranes forming a free fold
across the isthmus; pubic bones fully united. One species known.

FISH OF ONTARIO. 73

(79) Brook Stickleback.

(Eucalia inconstans. )

Body elongated, rather stout; the caudal peduncle without keel; skin
entirely smooth, The ventral spines and pubic bones are very small, the
latter concealed under the skin. The thoracic processes covered by the
skin, slender and widely separated. Dorsal spines short, nearly equal in
length, placed in a straight line, the anterior spines shortest. Ventral
spines small and serrated.

Ds shRe tor PVE cls, os AG T1203

Males in the breeding season jet black, tinged with coppery red. The
females and young are greenish, variegated with darker.

Common in small streams and ponds, where it secretes itself among
water plants, ready at any moment to attack any small fish which
approaches its lair, or to dart upon passing insects small enough to become
its prey.

This species is a nest builder and is particularly vigorous in the
defence of its eggs or young. It grows to a length of two and a-half
inches.

Genus PYGOSTEUS. (Many-spinep STICKLEBACKS. )

This genus is characterized by the presence of nine to eleven divergent
spines and by the weakness of its innominate bones. As in Eucalia, the
gill membranes form a broad fold across the isthmus.

Ten-spined Stickleback. ( Pygosteus pungitius. )

(So) Ten-spined Stickleback.
(Pygosteus pungitius. )

Body elongate, somewhat compressed. The dorsal spines are all in
the same line in a furrow, but they diverge so as to form a zigzag series.
Pubic bone weak, lanceolate, not serrate; ventral spines slender, pun-
gent, finely serrate above and below; gill membranes free from isthmus
behind; gill rakers long and slender; caudal fin lunate, slightly emargin-
ate.

Die IXe toms, 1... 2A. 1... -8.

74 CHECK LIST OF THE

Colour brownish above, punctulate and irregularly barred with black.
Tail keeled. Length about three inches. In the breeding season the male
becomes rosy beneath.

Not particularly common in this Province, but generally distributed
through the region of the Great Lakes. It is said to be abundant in the
streams of the Atlantic coast and in the fresh waters of the Arctic regions.

Genus GASTEROSTEUS:

Sticklebacks with the innominate bones coalescent on the median line
of the belly, behind and between the ventral fins, forming a triangular or
lanceolate plate. Gill membranes united to the isthmus; tail slender, and
usually keeled; skin variously covered with bony plates; dorsal spines
strong, with nondivergent bases. Species numerous and highly variable,
those found in the sea usually with the body completely mailed, the fresh
and brackish water forms variously mailed, or even altogether naked.

CAUULAIDA

Two-spined Stickleback. ( Gasterosteus bispinosus. )

(81) Two-spined Stickleback.

(Gasterosteus bispinosus.)

Body fusiform, moderately elongate and compressed ; caudal peduncle
short, slender and distinctly keeled. The sides are covered with about
thirty-three bony plates. The processes from the shoulder girdle cover
the breast except a small naked area between them. At the base of each
dorsal spine is a large rough bony plate to which the spine is hinged in
such a way that it may be fixed and immovable at the will of the fish. The
pelvic bone is lanceolate. The spines are all closely serrated, those in

front of the anal and soft dorsal smallest. At the base of the ventral spine
there is a cusp.

Pe Tt ietoura ea Anmiemo:

Colour, greenish olive, lighter on the sides, lower parts silvery. Gill
covers silvery, with dusky markings; iris silvery; pupil black; fins pale.

FISH OF ONTARIO. 75

In the breeding season the male is brilliant bluish or greenish above, with
indistinct dark bars and generally bright red below. Length in our waters
about three inches.

Rather common in spring in the streams and inlets of Lake Ontario,
but I have not found it elsewhere. Its centre of abundance in America is
along the North Atlantic coast, where it is found in all the streams from
New Jersey to Labrador. The male of this species constructs a rather
elaborate nest, of sand, pieces of sticks, weeds, etc., in which the female
deposits her ova. When this is done the male stands guard over it, fanning
with his fins to promote circulation of the water, only leaving his post to
dart at an intruder or secure some small insect for food.

Order ACANTHOPTERI. (The Spiny-rayed Fishes.)

Anterior vertebrae unmodified and without ossicula auditus; no meso-
coracoid and no interclavicles so far as known. Border of mouth formed
by premaxillary ; maxillary normally distinct from it and always present,
but sometimes codssified with it. Gills laminated. Shoulder girdle
attached to the skull by a post temporal, which is normally furcate and
usually not codssified with the skull. Hypercoracoid and hypocoracoid
distinct, ossified, the former usually perforate. Pharyngeals well devel-
oped, the lower rarely united, the third upper pharyngeal largest, the
fourth often wanting. Pectoral actinosts always present, opercular appa-
ratus complete; gill openings in advance of the pectorals; pectoral fins
above the plane of the abdomen; ventral fins more or less anterior, nor-
mally attached by the pelvis to the shoulder girdle, typically with one
spine and five rays, sometimes wanting, sometimes without spine or with
many rays, or otherwise modified. Anterior rays of dorsal and anal typi-
cally simple or spinous, but all the fin rays often articulate. Air bladder
typically without duct in the adult. Scales various, typically ctenoid ;
lateral line usually running high.

Suborder SALMOPERCZE. (The Trout Perches.)

Ventrals abdominal, each with a short simple ray; dorsal with two
simple rays or spines; anal with one or two; mouth formed as in Percoid
fishes, the simple toothless maxillary not forming part of its border. Adi-
pose fin present. Scales ctenoid; head naked; pseudobranchiz present.
Air bladder apparently with a rudimentary duct. Stomach siphonal, with
a few ceca. Shoulder girdle without mesocoracoid, apparently of the
normal percoid type; vertebra about thirty-five.

76 CHECK LIST OF THE

FaMILy PERCOPSIDA:. (Trout PERCHES.)

Body moderately elongate, somewhat compressed, the caudal peduncle
long and slender. Head conical, pointed, naked. Mouth small, hori-
zontal; maxillary short, narrow, without supplemental bone, not reaching
to the large eye; margin of upper jaw formed by premaxillaries alone,
which are short and not protractile. Teeth very small, villiform on pre-
maxillaries and lower jaw only. Tongue short, adherent. Gill membranes
separate; free from the isthmus. Pseudobranchie present. Branchio-
stegals six. Gill rakers short, tubercle-like. Opercle with entire edges.
Lower limb of the preopercle well developed, the angle nearly a right
angle, its inner edge with a raised crest, its outer edge crenulate or with
a few spines. Bones of the head cavernous; cranium with a raised crest,
which does not extend to the occiput. Scales moderate, rather firm, adher-
ent, their edges strongly ctenoid. Lateral line continuous. Dorsal short,
median with two spines, slender or stout; ventrals anterior, just in front
of the dorsal, with one rudimentary spine and about eight rays; pectorals
narrow, placed rather high; anal small, with one or two spines; caudal
forked; adipose fin present, small. Vertebre about thirty-five. First
superior pharyngobranchial without teeth; second, third, and fourth separ-
ate, with teeth. Lower pharyngeals separate. Stomach siphonal, with
about ten well developed pyloric ceca. Ova unusually large, not falling
into the abdominal cavity before exclusion. Air bladder present, with a
band of connective tissue which is apparently with a rudimentary duct.
Small fishes of the fresh waters of the cooler parts of America. This group
is one of special interest, as it combines with ordinary salmonoid charac-
ters, the structure of the head and mouth of a Percoid.

Genus PERCOPSIS. (Trout PERCHES.)

Body rather slender, pellucid, covered with rather thin scales; dorsal
fin with two slender spines or simple rays; anal with one; scales roughest
posteriorly ; lateral line developed; preopercle entire or very nearly so.

(82) Trout Perch. Sand Roller.

(Percopsis guttatus.)

Body rather long, moderately compressed, covered with thin ctenoid
scales; head scaleless and without barbels; gill openings wide; opercles
well developed; gill rakers short, tubercular; skull highly cavernous;
mouth small, the margin of the upper jaw formed by the short non-pro-
tractile intermaxillaries; no supplemental maxillary bone; small villiform

FISH OF ONTARIO. 7

~j

teeth on the intermaxillaries and mandible. Tongue short, not free at tip.
Six branchiostegals. Lateral line continuous. The first dorsal over middle
of body. Adipose fin small; caudal long, forked; pectorals narrow, placed
high. The stomach is siphonal, with numerous pyloric ceca. The eggs
are moderately large and are excluded through an oviduct. Air bladder
present. Lower jaw included.

Dieu eo. Scales on-laterall line. 47° £01.50.

Colour, upper parts pale olivaceous or brown, marked with rounded
dark spots, made up of minute dots; a silvery median stripe, becoming
obsolete in front; peritoneum silvery. Attains a length of about eight
inches.

I have not found this fish common anywhere in Ontario, though it
ranges all through the Great Lakes and their tributaries north to Hudson
Bay. It is perhaps more abundant in the Moira River, near Belleville,
than elsewhere in our Province, and is said to be frequently taken in the
clear cold waters of Lake Superior.

It is too small to be of much value to anglers, though it takes bait
readily and is used for food by those who care for such small game. To
the naturalist it is interesting, combining as it does the characteristics of
the Salmon and some of the Perches.

It spawns in the spring, running up the streams for that purpose.

Suborder XENARCHI. (The Pirate Perches.)

Structure of mouth and skeleton, so far as known, essentially that of
the Percoid fishes. Dorsal fin single, with a few small spines; ventrals
thoracic, with a small spine, and more than five soft rays. Air bladder
large and adherent. Intestinal canal ending at the throat in the adult, the
vent variously posterior in the young. Vertebra, twenty-nine.

Famity APHREDODERID/. - (PriraTE PERCHES.)

Body oblong, elevated at the base of the dorsal, compressed behind ;
the head thick and depressed ; the profile concave. Caudal peduncle thick ;
mouth moderate, somewhat oblique, the lower jaw projecting; maxillary
reaching to anterior border of the eye. Teeth in villiform bands on jaws,
vomer, palatines and pterygoids. Premaxillaries not protractile; maxil-
laries small, without evident supplemental bone. Preopercle and _pre-
orbital with their free edges sharply serrate; opercle with a spine. Bones
of skull somewhat cavernous. Sides of the head scaly. Lower pharyn-
geals narrow, separate, with villiform teeth. Gill membranes slightly

78 CHECK LIST OF THE

joined to the isthmus anteriorly. Gill rakers tubercle-like, dentate.
Pseudobranchie obsolete. Gills four, a small slit behind the fourth.
Branchiostegals six. Scales moderate, strongly ctenoid, adherent. Lateral
line imperfect or wanting. Vent always anterior, its position varying
with age, from just behind the ventral fins in the young to below the pre-
opercle in the adult. Dorsal fin single, median, high, with but three or
four spines, which are rapidly graduated, the first being very short. Anal
small, with two slender spines; ventral fins thoracic, with a very short
spine, the number of soft rays usually seven; caudal fin rounded behind.
Air bladder simple, large, adherent to the walls of the abdomen. Pyloric
ezca, about twelve.

Genus APHREDODERUS. (PiraTE PERCHES.)
The characters of the genus are included above.

(83) Pirate Perch.
(Aphredoderus sayanus.)

Body moderately stout, oblong, somewhat compressed posteriorly.
Scales ctenoid. Dorsal fin continuous, its origin much in advance of the
middle of the total length; the anterior spines much the shortest. Mouth
large for the size of the fish, the lower jaw somewhat longer than the
upper ; the maxilla reaches to front of eye; jaws, vomer and palatine bones
with villiform bands of teeth. Lateral line wanting. Caudal rounded.

DoS res AS eG: Scalesvon lateral tines 74Stom5e:

Colour, variable, sometimes olivaceous, at other times dark brown
with numerous dark punctulations; a dark bar at the base of the caudal
followed by a light one. It reaches about four inches in length.

I include this species, though there are no Ontario records of its
occurrence here known to me. It should, however, be found in the streams
of the Niagara district and at the western end of Lake Erie. It frequents
sluggish streams and ponds in which aquatic weeds abound, and 1s
remarkable because the position of the vent varies with age. In the
young it is behind the ventrals, while in the adult it is in the throat.

Suborder PERCESOCES.

Ventral fins abdominal, each of one spine and five rays; branchial
arches well developed, the bones all present except the fourth superior
branchihyal. Third superior pharyngeal much enlarged; lower pharyn-
geals distinct. Scales cycloid. Pectorals elevated, about on a level with
the upper posterior angle of operculum; spinous dorsal usually present.

FISH OF ONTARIO. 79

Famity ATHERINIDA:. (THE SILVERSIDES.)

Body rather elongate, somewhat compressed, covered with scales of
moderate or small size, which are usually, but not always, cycloid. No
lateral line; some scales often with rudimentary mucous tubes. Cleft of
the mouth moderate. Teeth small, on jaws and sometimes on vomer and
palatines, rarely wanting. Premaxillaries protractile or not. Opercular
bones without spines or serrature. Gill openings wide, the gill membranes
not connected, free from the isthmus; gills four, a slit behind the fourth.
Pseudobranchiz present; gill rakers usually long and slender. Branchio-
stegals five or six. Dorsal fins two, well separated; the first of three to
eight slender flexible spines, the second of soft rays; anal with a weak
spine, similar to the soft dorsal, but usually larger; ventrals small, abdom-
inal, not far back, of one small spine and five soft rays; pectorals moderate,
inserted high. Air bladder present. No pyloric ceca. Vertebre numer-
ous, usually about 23+23=46; third and fourth superior pharyngeals
coéossified with teeth. All the species have a silvery band along the side ;
this is sometimes underlaid by black pigment.

Genus LABIDESTHES.

Jaws prolonged, both of which are produced into a short depressed
beak. The scales are small, their edges entire.

(84) Silversides. Skipjack.
(Labidesthes sicculus.)

Body very slender, elongate. Caudal deeply forked.

Dees ma AC e232) = Seales on lateral lines 75.

Colour, green, the fish in life translucent, upper parts dotted. A
very distinct silvery lateral band edged above with lead colour; cheeks
silvery. Length, about four inches.

This species is found in Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, and the Detroit
River, and may be generally distributed throughout the Great Lake region.
As a food fish for larger species it is important.

Group PERCOIDEA. (THE PERCH-LIKE FISHES.)

A group of fishes of diverse habits and forms, but on the whole repre-
senting better than any other the typical Acanthopterygian fish. The
group is incapable of concise definition, or in general, of any definition at
all; still most of its members are definitely related to each other, and bear
in one way or another a resemblance to the typical form, the Perch, or
more strictly to its marine relatives, the Sea Bass or Serranide, The
following analysis gives most of the common characters of the group:

80 CHECK LIST OF THE

Body usually oblong, covered with scales, which are typically ctenoid,
not smooth or spinous, and of moderate size. Lateral line typically pre-
sent and concurrent with the back. Head usually compressed laterally
and with the cheeks and opercles scaly. Mouth various, usually terminal
and with lateral cleft, the teeth various, but typically pointed, arranged
in bands on the jaws, vomer, and palatine bones; gill rakers usually sharp,
stoutish, armed with teeth; lower pharyngeal almost always separate,
usually armed with cardiform teeth; third upper pharyngeal moderately
enlarged, elongate, not articulated to the cranium, the fourth typically
present; gills four, and a slit behind the fourth; gill membranes free from
the isthmus, and usually not connected with each other; pseudobranchize
typically well developed. Branchiostegals few, usually six or seven. No
bony stay connecting the suborbital chain to the preopercle. Opercular
bones all well developed, normal in position, the preopercle typically ser-
rate. No cranial spines. Dorsal fin variously developed, but always with
some spines in front, these typically stiff and sharp. Anal fin typically
short, usually with three spines, sometimes with a larger number, some-
times with none; caudal fin various, usually lunate; pectoral fins well
developed, inserted high; ventral fins always present, thoracic, separate,
almost always with one spine and five rays. Air bladder usually present,
without air duct in the adult; simple and generally adherent to the walls
of the abdomen. Stomach cecal, with pyloric appendages, the intestines
short in most species, long in the herbivorous forms. Vertebral column
well developed, none of the vertebra specially modified; shoulder girdle
normally developed, the post temporal bifurcate, attached to the skull, but
not codssified with it; none of the epipleural bones attached to the centre
of the vertebra; coracoids normal; the hypercoracoid always with a
median foramen, the basal bones of the pectoral (actinosts or pterygials)
normally developed, three or four in number, hour-glass shaped, longer
than broad; premaxillary forming the border of the mouth usually pro-
tractile; bones of the mandible distinct.

Famity CENTRARCHIDA, (THE SUNFISHES.)

Body more or less shortened and compressed; the regions above and
below the axis of the body nearly equally developed and corresponding to
each other, and the pseudobranchiz imperfect. Head compressed. Mouth
terminal, large or small. Teeth in villiferm bands, the outer slightly
enlarged, without canines; teeth present on premaxillaries, lower jaw and
vomer, and usually on palatines, also sometimes on tongue, pterygoids
and hyoid. Premaxillaries pretractile; maxillary with a supplemental
bone in the large-mouthed forms, sometimes minute or obsolete in others.
Preopercle entire or somewhat serrate; opercle ending in two flat points,
or prolonged in a black flap at the angle. Preorbital short and deep; first
suborbital narrow; the maxillary not slipping under its edge. Nostrils,

FISH OF ONTARIO. 81

two on each side. Gills four, a slit behind the fourth. Pseudcbranchize
small, almost glandular, nearly or quite covered by skin. Gill membranes
separate, free from the isthmus. Branchiostegals six, rarely seven. Gill
rakers variously formed, armed with small teeth, lower pharyngeal bones
separate, their teeth conic or sometimes paved. Cheeks and opercles scaly ;
body fully scaled, the scales usually strongly ctenoid, rarely cycloid;
lateral line present, usually complete. Dorsal fins confluent, the spines
six to thirteen in number (usually ten), depressible in a shallow groove;
anal spines three to nine. Intestinal canal short. Pyloric caca five to
ten. Vertebree, twenty-eight to thirty-five. Entopterygoid present. Pre-
caudal or abdominal vertebrze with transverse processes from the third or
fourth to the last; ribs all but the last two to four, sessile, inserted on the
centrum behind the transverse processes. Frontals with a pair of large
muciferous channels which converge posteriorly or are confluent with a
transverse channel connecting the post frontals, their posterior openings
close together on the median line in front of the supraoccipital crest.
Colouration usually brilliant. Sexes similar; changes with age often
great. Fresh water fishes of North America; forming one of the most
characteristic features of our fish fauna. Most of the species build nests
which they defend with much courage. All are carnivorous, voracious and
gamy. All are valued as food, their importance being in direct proportion
to the size which they attain.

Genus POMOXIS. (Grass Bass.)

Body more or less elongate, strongly compressed, the snout project-
ing; mouth large, oblique; maxillary broad, with a well developed supple-
mental bone; teeth on vomer, palatines, entopterygoids and tongue; lower
pharyngeals narrow, with sharp teeth; gill rakers long and slender, num-
erous ; opercle emarginate ; preopercle and preorbital finely serrated ; scales
large, feebly ctenoid; fins large, the anal larger than dorsal, of six spines
and about seventeen rays; dorsal with six to eight graduated spines, the
spinous dorsal shorter than the soft part; caudal fin emarginate ; pectorals
rounded or obtusely pointed, with fifteen or sixteen rays, the upper long-
est; ventrals close together, each with a strong spine; branchiostegals
seven; lateral line complete, the tubes straight and extending at least on
the anterior half of the exposed surface of the scale; posterior processes
of the premaxillaries not extending to the frontals; supraoccipital and
parietal crest very strong, produced forward on the frontals to between
the orbits; vertebree, 18+ 15=33.

(85) Crappie. Silver Bass.
(Pomoxis annularis.)

Body oblong, but more elongated than the next, the depth two-fifths
of the total length; much compressed. Mouth oblique, larger than in the

82 CHECK LIST OF THE

next; profile more or less S shaped; head depressed, snout projecting ;
upper jaw nearly one half the length of head, the maxilla reaching slightly
beyond the middle of the eye.

Dy VIEy 165 A Wikege Scales 7-45-13.

Colour, clear silvery olive, the sides mottled with dark greenish
blotches ; on the upper part of the body are traces of narrow vertical bars.
The dorsal and caudal fins are mottled, but the anal is usually plain.
Attains a length of about twelve inches and a weight of one pound.

This species ranges from the Great Lakes southward. It occurs rarely
in Lake Erie and possibly also in Lake Ontario. In appearance the
Crappie and the Speckled Bass are very much alike, the best distinguish-
ing marks between them being the more elongated form of the Crappie,
the possession of only six spines in the dorsal, and the nearly uniform
plain whitish colour of the anal.

In its habits it closely resembles the next and more familiar species.

(86) Speckled Bass. Calico Bass.

(Pomoxis sparoides. )

Body oblong, compressed, its depth about one-half the length with-
out the tail; head about one-third length. Mouth very oblique and smaller
than in the Crappie; the profile comparatively even; fins very high.

D.VII., 155 Ae Vibe r7 tore.) Scales-on lateraluline,.41 tosaae

Colour, silvery olive mottled with clear olive green, the dark mark-
ings gathered in small irregular bunches and covering the whole body;
vertical fins with dark olive reticulations, surrounding pale spots; anal
marked like the dorsal; a dusky opercular spot. Under favourable cir-
cumstances it attains a length of ten or twelve inches and a weight of one
pound or rather more.

The Speckled Bass is found in the waters of this Province from Que-
bec to Lake Huron. It frequents ponds, lagoons, and sluggish streams,
where there is an abundance of aquatic vegetation, under which it lies in
wait for the insects, crustaceans and small fish upon which it feeds. It
spawns in the early summer and is said to scoop out a nesting place in
the sand in the same manner as the Sunfishes and Black Bass. This I
have never seen, though I have been very familiar with the species for
nearly forty years.

As a food and game fish it stands high in the estimation of anglers,
though it is not a very persistent fighter. Being gregarious and congre-
gating in schools, under overhanging weeds and such like places, it may
be captured in great numbers when a favorite haunt is discovered.

This species readily adapts itself to life in artificial ponds and is
worthy of much more attention from fish culturists than it has heretofore
received, for when taken from clear water it is one of the best table fish
we have.

(‘saprounds sivowog) ‘sseq pepyoodg
4

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FISH OF ONTARIO. 83

It feeds principally towards evening, and the best bait for it is a
bright, lively shiner or chub.

Genus AMBLOPLITES. (Rock Bass.)

Body oblong, moderately elevated, compressed; mouth large, the
broad maxillary with a well developed supplemental bone, lower jaw pro-
jecting; teeth on vomer, palatines, tongue, entopterygoids and ectoptery-
goids, lingual teeth in a single patch, pharyngeal teeth sharp; branchio-
stegals six; opercle ending in two flat points; preopercle serrate at its
angle, other membrane bones chiefly entire; gill rakers rather long and
strong, dentate, less than ten in number, developed only on the lower part
of the arch; scales large, somewhat ctenoid; lateral line complete, the
tubes occupying at least the anterior half of the surface of the scale;
dorsal fin much more developed than the anal fin, with ten or eleven rather
low spines; anal spines normally six; pectorals obtusely pointed with
fourteen or fifteen rays, the upper longest; caudal fin emarginate.

(87) Rock Bass.
(Ambloplites rupestris. )

Body robust, oblong; caudal peduncle stout, almost as deep as long.
Dorsal profile rather steep, strongly concave over eye. Eye large. Mouth
large, the maxillary reaching to vertical from posterior end of pupil. The
heavy lower jaw projects slightly. The opercle ends in two flat points;
preopercle serrated at its angle. Gill rakers long and strong, less than
ten in number; six branchiostegals; scales large, those on the cheeks in
about eight rows; caudal rather deeply emarginate. The lateral line is
complete, placed high on body and follows the contour of the back.

Does hk ACN lee ohh. SCaless 5-40-14.

Colour olive green, with a brassy tinge and much dark mottling; the
young are pale or yellowish, irregularly barred and blotched with black;
adults with a dark spot at the base of each scale, these spots sometimes
forming interrupted black stripes; a dark spot on the opercle; soft dorsal,
anal, and caudal fins with dark mottlings; iris golden overlaid with crim-
son.

The Rock Bass grows to a length of about a foot and a weight of a
pound and a half, though such large specimens are not often seen now.
It ranges throughout the whole of this Province, and is said to occur in
Manitoba, but I did not find it there.

Its usual haunts are dark holes in streams or lakes, where aquatic
vegetation flourishes, and it is often to be found in considerable numbers
about docks or timber work, which shades the water. From these places
it emerges towards nightfall and roams about in search of the insects,
crustaceans and small fish which form its food. When taken from clear,
cold water, it is esteemed as a table fish, and when fished for with light

84 CHECK LIST OF THE

tackle will afford fair sport to the angler. To the schoolboy the Rock
Bass is a ‘‘joy forever,’’ for it rarely refuses a bait even when offered upon
the coarsest tackle, and a good string will always reward his efforts if he
strikes the right places.

The spawning season is in May or June, when a shallow nest is
scooped out on some gravelly or sandy bar, in which the eggs are
deposited. Over this the parent fish watch with unremitting care until
the young are hatched.

Genus CHASNOBRYTTUS. (WaRMOUTHS.)

This genus has the general form and dentition of Amboplites, with
the convex opercle, ten dorsal and three anal spines of Lepomis. Pre-
opercle entire; branchiostegals six; caudal fin emarginate; scales weakly
ctenoid; vertebra, 13+16=29; posterior processes of the premaxillaries
extending nearly to the frontals; frontals posteriorly with a transverse
ridge connecting the parietal and supraoccipital crest, which are very
strong.

(88) Warmouth.
(Cheenobryttus gulosus.)

Body heavy and deep, but more elongate than in our common Sun-
fishes; head rather long; eye moderate; mouth large, the maxillary reach-
ing to below hind margin of eye; gill rakers eight or nine, besides some
rudiments; opercular spot about as large as the eye. The dorsal begins
further back than the pectoral, its spines low.

DD. X.; 9 to 105A] THES torg; (Seales; 6-400to 46-12:

Colour very variable, usually olive green, clouded with darker; a
dusky spot on each scale more or less distinct; vertical fins mottled with
dusky; a faint spot on last rays of dorsal bordered by paler; three oblique
dusky bars radiating from eye; belly yellowish.

It reaches a length of about ten inches.

I am under the impression that some years ago this fish was found in
the marsh at Toronto, and also near Hamilton, but of late no specimens
have been obtainable. It should occur in Lake Erie and will probably be
found in the Niagara district. Its centre of abundance is, however, south
of this Province.

Genus APOMOTIS.

This genus is very close to Lepomis, from which it differs only in the
development of the supplementary maxillary bone, which becomes rudi-
mentary or wanting in the adult of Lepomis. The mouth is largest in the
species in which this bone is best developed. Lower pharyngeals narrow,

(*snugsad ina

sayydojquy )

‘ssBq YOoy

F.

i, wat

, -_,

FISH OF ONTARIO. 85

with acute teeth; gill rakers well developed, long and stiff; pectoral blunt-
ish, shorter than head; scales moderate, 43 to 50. Habits similar to those
of the species of Lepomis.

(8g) Green Sunfish.

(Apomotis cyanellus.)

Body oblong, the back not elevated; mouth large, the maxillary
reaching nearly to middle of eye; dorsal spines low; opercular flap short,
with pale margin.

De Naty lee Lilo. Sedles.. 7-47-14.

Colour, green with a brassy lustre, each scale with a blue spot and
gilded edging; fins largely blue; anal edged with orange; iris red; cheeks
with blue stripes.

I have no Ontario records of this fish, but as it will probably be found
in Lake Erie, it is mentioned here. Its centre of abundance is said to be
the Ohio basin.

[t is too small to be of value as a game fish, seldom attaining a greater
length than six or eight inches,

Genus LEPOMIS. (SUNFISHES.)

Body oblong or ovate, more or less compressed, the back in the adult
somewhat elevated ; mouth moderate or small, the jaws about equal ; maxil-
lary narrow, the supplemental bone reduced to a mere rudiment, or alto-
gether wanting; teeth on vomer and usually on palatines, none on tongue
or pterygoids, lower pharyngeals narrow, the teeth spherical or paved, all
or nearly all sharp, few or none of them conical; gill rakers mostly short;
preoperculum entire; operculum ending behind in a convex flap, black in
colour, which in some species becomes greatly developed with age ; branchi-
ostegals six; scales moderate; dorsal fin continuous, with ten spines; anal
with three spines ; caudal fin emarginate; pectorals long or short. Colour-
ation brilliant, but evanescent. A large genus, and one in which it is
rather difficult to distinguish species. The form of body, development of
ear flap and height of spines vary with age and condition, while the
general appearance and the numbers of fin rays and scales are essentially
the same in all.

SUBGENUS LEPOMIS.

(90) Blue Sunfish.
(Lepomis pallidus.)

Body deep, elliptical, its greatest depth at the ventrals, one-half of
the total length without the caudal; caudal peduncle short and deep. Head
one-third of the total length without caudal. Snout short, obtuse and

86 CHECK LIST OF THE

oblique, the interorbital space slightly convex. Mouth small, oblique, the
maxilla not greatly expanded behind, reaching to below the front of the
eye. Scales on the cheeks in five rows. The gill rakers are short and
stout, about fifteen developed on the first arch. No supplemental maxil-
lary bone. No palatine teeth. Caudal fin notched, its middle rays three-
fourths as long as the outer. The lateral line follows the curve of the
back.

DD. XS, ta ae 0s 2 Seales 27 -4ior:

Colour, rich greenish olive on back, becoming paler on sides; top of
head dark greenish; opercles and cheek bluish; opercular flap rich velvety
black, a small whitish spot above near its base; side with three or four
broad darker greenish bars; fins all greenish, the pectoral palest; a large
black blotch on last rays of dorsal, a similar one on anal; the dark bars
become obsolete in the adult; no blue stripes on cheek; no red on fins;
old individuals often with the belly coppery red or brassy.

This is the largest of the Sunfishes, reaching sometimes a length of
twelve inches or rather more, and a weight of about a pound. Tie finest
specimens I ever saw were taken from the Rideau a few miles above King-
ston. It occurs abundantly in some parts of Lakes Ontario and Erie and
their tributaries, but I have not heard of it in the northwestern part of
the Province.

As a table fish it is highly esteemed, and, in proportion to its size,
possesses greater fighting qualities than any fresh-water fish we have.

Genus EUPOMOTIS.

Very closely related to Lepomis, differing only in the blunter and
more pavement-like teeth of the lower pharyngeal bones. These bones
are, in the typical species, broad and concave, specially in the adult. There
is considerable variation among the species, and it is possible that this
division can not be maintained. Most of the species have long pectoral
fins, the suplemental maxillary lost or very much reduced, and the oper-
cular flap always with an orange patch on its lower posterior part. Gill
rakers various, usually short.

SuBGENUS EUPOMOTIS.

(91) Yellow Sunfish. Pumpkin Seed.
(Eupomotis gibbosus.)

Body much compressed, nearly ovate, its depth one-half the total
length without caudal; caudal peduncle short and compressed. Head
moderately large, one-third of the total length without caudal. Snout short
and depressed, the interorbital space nearly flat. Mouth small and oblique,
the maxilla not much expanded behind and reaching to below front of

(Csnpyjpod srmodaT ) "ysyung ont

FISH OF ONTARIO. 87

eye. Scales on the cheeks in four rows. The opercular spot short, less
than two-thirds diameter of the eye, with a whitish margin behind. Gill
rakers very short, moderately stout, 10 or 11 developed on the first arch.
Caudal emarginate, its middle rays four-fifths as long as the outer. The
lateral line follows the curve of the back.

D:, X.,; 12; Av Il., 10. Scales, 6-42-13.

Colour : In life one of the most beautiful of fresh-water fishes; green-
ish olive above, shaded with bluish, the sides spotted and blotched with
orange; belly orange yellow; cheeks orange with wavy blue streaks;
lower fins orange; sides profusely mottled with orange. Opercular flap
black, the lower posterior part bright scarlet. Grows to a length of eight
inches and a weight of half a pound.

The common Sunfish is very abundant in all the waters of southern
and central Ontario, ranging to Lake Huron, which is probably its limit
for there are as yet no records of it from the Lake Superior region.

Though rather too small to be of value as a game or food fish, yet it
affords great sport to the younger anglers, and is by no means to be
despised upon the table.

The spawning season is in May and June, the fish resorting to shallow
water, where the ova are deposited in nests scooped out in the sand or
mud, by the action of the fins. Over these the males keep guard until the
young are hatched, in the meantime driving off all intruders and promot-
ing circulation of the water by fanning with ventral fins and tail.

Genus MICROPTERUS. (Brack Bass.)

Body oblong, compressed, the back not much elevated; head oblong,
conical; mouth very large, oblique, the broad maxillary reaching nearly
to or beyond the posterior margin of the eye, its supplemental bone well
developed; lower jaw prominent ; teeth on jaws, vomer and palatines in
broad villiform bands, the inner depressible, usually no teeth on the
tongue; preopercle entire, operculum ending in two flat points without
cartilaginous flap; branchiostegals normally six; gill rakers long and
slender; scales rather small, weakly ctenoid; lateral iine complete, the
tubes straight, occupying the anterior half of each scale; dorsal fin divided
by a deep notch, the spines low and rather feeble, ten in number; anal
spines three, the anal fin much smaller than the dorsal; pectorals obtusely
pointed, the upper rays longest, ventrals close together below the pec-
torals, caudal fin emarginate ; posterior processes of the premaxillaries
not extending to the frontals; frontals posteriorly with a transverse ridge
connecting the parietal and supraoccipital crests, which are very strong.

Two species; among the most important of game fishes.

88 CHECK LIST OF THE

(92) Small-mouthed Black Bass. Black Bass.
(Micropterus dolomieu. )

Body ovate-fusiform, becoming deeper with age; mouth large, but
smaller than in the large-mouthed black bass; maxillary ending consider-
ably in front of posterior border of orbit, except in very old examples;
scales on cheek minute; those on body small; dorsal fin deeply notched,
but less so than in the next species, the ninth spine being about half as
long as the fifth and not much shorter than the tenth; soft dorsal and anal
each scaly at the base.

D. Xs, 130515 sac IM or tones Scales, 411-72" to 6s-2c5 sNbout
17 rows of scales on cheek.

Colour, dull golden green with bronze lustre, often blotched with
darker, especially on head; young with darker spots along the sides, which
tend to form short vertical bars, but never a dark lateral band; three
bronze bands radiating from eye across cheek and opercles; a dusky spot
on point of opercle; caudal fin yellowish at base, then black, with white
tips; dorsal with bronze spots, its edge dusky. In some waters the fin
markings are obsolete, but they are usually conspicuous in the young.
Adults sometimes have all these markings obliterated, the colour becom-
ing a uniform dead green, without silvery lustre, the stripes on the head,
however, remaining more or less distinct.

This Bass is found in greater or less abundance throughout the Pro-
vince. It seems to prefer cool, clear waters, having a rocky or gravelly
bottom, and ranges further north than its large-mouthed relative. As a
game fish it is sought after by anglers in preference to any other, except,
perhaps, the Salmon, and on the table is highly esteemed as food.

Spawning begins in May and ends early in July, the season being
dependent largely upon the temperature of the water; incubation lasts
from seven to fifteen days. The parent fish scoop out shallow nests in the
sand or gravel to receive the eggs, which are then guarded assiduously
until hatched.

The food of Black Bass consists chiefly of insects, crustaceans and
smal] fish, but when hungry nothing that it can overpower comes amiss
At the approach of winter it ceases to feed and lies dormant under logs,
weeds, or rocks until the warmth of spring restores at the same time its
energy and voracity.

Its maximum weight in our waters is about six pounds, but fish of
this size are rare.

(93) Large-mouthed Black Bass. Yellow Bass. Green Bass.
(Micropterus salmoides. )

Body ovate-fusiform, becoming deeper with age, moderately com-
pressed; head large; mouth very wide, the maxillary in adult reaching
beyond the eye, shorter in the young; scales on body comparatively large;
gill rakers longer than gill fringes; dorsal fin very deeply notched, the
spinous dorsal low, its fourth spine longest.

(“nowmojop sniajdowny ) ‘sseg Yyourg poyynour-jyeug

(‘saprougns sniadoiwy) ‘sseg Yovpg poyyow-saery

FISH OF ONTARIO. 89

DEX 2 Or ar el erOlOn Wl. rSoCales, 7-65.10 70-18; LO Or 1%
rows of scales on cheek.

Colour, dark green above, sides and below greenish silvery; young
with a blackish stripe along the side from opercle to middle of caudal fin.
Three oblique dark stripes across the cheek and opercles; some dark spots
above and below lateral line; caudal fin pale at base, then blackish, and
whitish at tip; belly white. As the fish grows older the black lateral band
breaks up and grows fainter and the colour becomes more and more uni-
form, pale dull green, the back being darker.

The maximum weight attained by this fish in our waters is about six
pounds, further south it grows to a large size. It is generally distributed
throughout the Province, being most abundant in waters having a mud
bottom in which aquatic plants flourish. It seems able to adapt itself to
running streams, and even to thrive in them, but in quiet lakes and bays
it reaches the greatest size. _

The spawning season begins in May and ends at the beginning of
July. A nest is scooped out of the sand or mud, in which the adhesive
eges are deposited. These are guarded by the parent fish until hatched.
Incubation lasts from one to two weeks, according to the temperature of
the water, and the young bass, after emerging from the eggs, remain in
the nest for about a week.

As the weather becomes cold this Bass seeks deep places, often hiber-
nating under rocks, sunken logs, or in the mud. In the summer its
favourite localities are under overhanging banks or in holes among weeds,
where it lies in wait for the frogs, fish and crustaceans which constitute
the greater part of its food.

Famity PERCIDA. (THE PERCHES.)

Body more or less elongate, terete or compressed, covered more or
less completely with rather small, ctenoid adherent scales. Dorsal and
ventral outlines more or less unlike. Lateral line usually present, not
extending on the caudal fin. Mouth terminal or inferior, small
or large, the premaxillaries protractile or not; maxillaries large
or small, without distinct supplemental bone. Jaws, vomer, and
palatines with bands of teeth, which are usually villiform, but
sometimes mixed with canines, occasionally the teeth on the
vomer or palatines are absent. Head naked, or more or less scaly; pre-
opercle entire or serrate; opercles usually ending in a flat spine. Branchio-
stegals six or seven. Gills four, a slit behind the fourth; gill membranes
free or connected, not joined to the isthmus; gill rakers slender, toothed ;
pseudobranchie small, or glandular and concealed, or altogether wanting ;
lower pharyngeals separate, with sharp teeth. Anal papilla more or less
developed. Fins generally large; two dorsals, the first of six to fifteen
spines; anal fin with one or two spines, the usual number two. Ventrals

90 CHECK LIST OF THE

thoracic I., 5; pectorals often very large; caudal, lunate, truncate or
rounded. Air bladder small and adherent; often entirely wanting. Pyloric
ceca few. No subocular lamina of the suborbitals; entopterygoid present.
Anterior vertebree without transverse processes; only the first pterygial
or actinost usually in contact with the coracoid; sometimes a part of the
second also. The posterior processes of the premaxillaries are short; the
supraoccipital and parietal bones are short and confined to the back of the
skull; parietal crests are absent, and the supraoccipital crest is very short,
not extending to the anterior extremity of the bone or even absent.

Genus STIZOSTEDION. (PICKEREL. PIKE PERCHES.)

Body elongate, fusiform, the back broad; head subconical, long,
cheeks, opercles and top of head more or less scaly ; mouth large, the jaws
about equal; premaxillaries protractile, little movable; teeth in villiform
bands, the jaws and palatines with long, sharp canines; gill rakers slen-
der, strong; gill membranes separate; preopercle serrated, the serre
below turned forward; opercle with one or more spines, terminations of
radiating striz, dorsal fins well separated, the first with twelve to fifteen
spines, the second with seventeen to twenty-one soft rays, last dorsal
spine not erectile, bound down by membranes; anal spines two, slender,
closely appressed to the soft rays, which are rather long, eleven to four-
teen in number; ventral fins well separated, the space between them equal
to their base, ventral spine slender, closely appressed to the soft rays;
scales small, strongly ctenoid; lateral line continuous; branchiostegals
seven; pseudobranchiz well developed; pyloric ceca three to seven.
Large carnivorous fishes of the fresh waters of North America.

SuBGENUS STIZOSTEDION.
(94) Yellow Pickerel. Pike-Perch. Dore.

(Stizostedion vitreum.)

Body long and moderately deep, its depth varying with age; head
long; eye rather large; lower jaw slightly projecting; the maxilla reach-
ing beyond the pupil. The soft dorsal is nearly as long as the spinous.

Doli yas eA. Tih. 12 tongs... Scales 0-90-10;

Colour, olivaceous mottled with brassy; sides of the head vermicu-
lated; the dorsals, caudal and pectoral with bands; those of the dorsals
and caudal not continuous; sides with about seven oblique dark bands,
differing in direction; a jet black blotch on the membrane behind the last
spine of the dorsal.

The Yellow Pickerel is found in all the larger bodies of water through-
out Ontario, more particularly in the Great Lakes and the rivers falling
into them. Its spawning time is in early spring, when it runs on to
gravelly or sandy bars or even up rivers for the purpose of depositing its

(2Unadna UoIpasozgy) “[aLIYOT MOPAR

(-asuappuna
uoripaysozuy) *
Ys JortoyoIg ony]
: d

.
re ee ike
V3

%

FISH OF ONTARIO. 91

ova. As soon as the water becomes warm they work off into deep water,
where they remain during the hot months.

As it is a deep-water fish it does not often afford much sport for the
angler, but as a commercial and food fish it is decidedly the best we have
in the lakes, its flesh being firm, white, flaky and well flavored.

Under favourable circumstances this species reaches a large size,
specimens of twenty-five pounds’ weight having been recorded. These
are, however, very rare, and a ten-pound fish is now considered a very
good one. It is extremely voracious, feeding upon such other fish as it
can overpower, and the insects and crustaceans found in its haunts. In
Manitoba, where I found it abundant, frogs were the most attractive
baits.

In the Lake Erie district and perhaps elsewhere, the young, if of a
pale color, are known as ‘“‘Blue Pickerel,’’ as this form shows no struc-
tural differences, its identity with the Yellow Pickerel seems certain.

SuBGENUS CYNOPERCA.

(95) Sand Pickerel. Blue Pickerel. Sauger.
(Stizostedion canadense. )

Body elongate, more terete than in the preceding, the flesh more trans-
lucent; head depressed, pointed. Eye small; mouth smaller than in the
last; the maxilla reaches to the hind margin of the eye.

Darcilerto clas ei 7to Tropa Lleneiens Scales on lateral line 192
to 98; 4 to 7 pyloric ceca of unequal length; all of them shorter than the
stomach.

Colour, olivaceous above; sides brassy, with black markings in the
form of irregular blotches which are best defined under the soft dorsal.
The spinous dorsal has several rows of round black spots on the membrane
between the spines; no black blotch on the hind part of the spinous dorsal.
Pectorals with a large dark blotch at base; soft dorsal with several rows
of dark spots irregularly placed; caudal yellowish with dark spots form-
ing interrupted bars.

This is a smaller fish than the last, rarely exceeding eighteen inches
in length and a weight of two pounds. It is also less valued as a food fish,
its flesh being softer and of inferior flavour.

The range and habits of this species are much the same as those of

its congener and in proportion to its size it is equally destructive to small
fish.

Two varieties have been described, viz., griseum and boreum, but it
is doubtful if their distinctive characters are sufficiently permanent to
entitle them to sub-specific rank.

92 CHECK LIST OF THE

Genus PERCA. (THE TRUE PERCHES-:)

Body oblong, somewhat compressed, the back elevated; cheeks scaiy ,
opercles mostly naked; the operculum armed with a single spine; pre-
opercle and shoulder girdle serrated, preopercle with retrorse, hooked se1-
rations below; mouth moderate, terminal; premaxillaries protractile; teeth
in villiform bands on jaws, vomer, and palatines, no canine teeth; branchi-
ostegals seven; gill membranes separate; pseudobranchie small, but
perfect; no anal papilla; scales rather smail, strongly ctenoid, lateral line
complete, the tubes straight and not extending to the extremity of the
scale; dorsal fins entirely separate, the first of twelve to sixteen spines;
anal fin with two slender spines, well separated from the soft rays; ventral
spines well developed, the ventral fins near together; caudal emarginate ;
air bladder present; pyloric ceca, three.

(96) Yellow Perch.
(Perca flavescens. ;

Body fusiform, moderately elongate, the back elevated, cheeks scaly ;
opercles mostly naked, striate; premaxillaries protractile, preorbital set-
rate; snout projecting, maxillary reaching middle of pupil; top of head
rugose; gill rakers stout; caudal notched.

De XVes Li, 135° A sles = scales a5 7ohe

Colour on the back olivaceous, varying to greenish; sides goldeu
yellow, with about six to eight broad dark bars which extend from back
to below axis of body; lower fins largely red or orange, especially so in
the spring; upper fins olivaceous. Like all fish, it varies greatly, the
yellow is sometimes very bright, at other times quite pale, and the black
bars are much deeper in some waters than in others.

This species reaches a length of ten or twelve inches and a weight of
a pound or rather more. The largest I ever saw taken from our lakes
weighed one pound and two ounces. It is one of the most abundant of
our fishes and is found in all the lakes and streams of any size throughout
the Province. As a food fish, if taken when the water is cool it is only
excelled by the Yellow Pickerel. During the hot summer months the
Perch of shallow, weedy waters become soft and lose their fine flavour.
To anglers accustomed to Black Bass and Lunge it is rather an insig-
nificant species, but it has this to recommend it, that it can be caught by
anybody, with any sort of tackle, at all times of the year.

The Perch spawns in early spring and the eggs, which are very small,

oo”?
are enclosed in a long, narrow, translucent, strip of adhesive mucus.

GENus PERCINA. (Loc PERCHEs.)

Body elongate, slightly compressed, covered with small ctenoid
scales ; lateral line continuous; ventral line with enlarged plates which fall

(‘suaosaany’ no1Ig) *YOLAT MOTTOK

ee

Caer,

Te

FISH OF ONTARIO. 93

off, leaving a naked strip; head depressed, rather pointed, the mouth being
small and inferior, overlapped by a tapering, subtruncate, piglike snout;
upper jaw not protractile, maxillary small, exposed; teeth on vomer and
palatines; gill membranes scarcely connected; dorsal fin well separated,
the first the larger, of thirteen to fifteen spines, the second dorsal rather
longer than the anal, which has two spines, the first of which is usually the
shorter ; pectorals symmetric, rounded or bluntly pointed, their rays four-
teen or fifteen, their spines moderate; ventral fins well separated, the inter-
space about equal to their base; air bladder and pseudobranchiz present,
rudimentary.

(97) Log Perch.
(Percina caprodes.)

Body long, slightly compressed; head long, with pointed snout.
mouth small; the lower jaw not reaching near to tip of snout, and the
maxilla not extending to the front of the eye. Scales on cheeks and gill
covers, also on the space before the first dorsal; breast scaleless. A row
of enlarged plates on the belly, which are sometimes deciduous. Fins
moderately low and rather long.

DF iOVe, b5 eA. oh... O.. Scalest in lateral line,.92-

Colour, greenish yellow, with about fifteen dark cross bands, extend-
ing from back to belly; alternating with those above the lateral line are
fainter bars. Fins barred. A black spot at the base of the caudal.

This is the largest of the Darters, reaching a length of about eight
inches. It is found throughout the Great Lake region in clear, rapid
streams having a gravelly or rocky bottom. The variety next mentioned
is probably the common form of Ontario.

(98) Manitou Darter.
(Percina caprodes zebra.)

Similar to the last, but nape always naked; lateral black bars short,
not extending much above lateral line, these also more or less confluent,
about twenty in number; a black caudal spot; dorsal and caudal mottled.

De eV ie, o1A Ah eerOn. SCales.1 Go:

This variety of P. caprodes is found in the rapid streams of the Great
Lake region, and more particularly those falling into Lake Superior.

Genus HADROPTERUS.,. (BLAcK-SIDED DaRTERS.)

Body rather elongate, compressed or not; mouth rather wide, ter-
minal, the lower jaw included; the snout above not protruding beyond the
premaxillaries, which are not protractile; teeth on vomer and usually on
palatines also; gill membranes separate or more or less ‘connected; scales
small, ctenoid, covering the body; belly with a median series of more or

94 CHECK LIST OF THE

less enlarged spinous plates or ctenoid scales, which in most species fall
off at intervals, leaving a naked strip, in some species persistent and but
slightly enlarged; sides of head scaly or not; lateral line complete or
nearly so; fins large, the soft dorsal smaller than the spinous or the anal;
anal spines two (one of them very rarely obsolete); dorsal spines ten to
fifteen; ventral fins more or less widely separated, specially in species with
caducous plates. Parietal region more or less depressed, not strongly
convex in cross section; supraoccipital crest usually present, but small.
Pyloric ceca, two to four.

SuBGENUS ALVORDIUS.

(99) Black-sided Darter.
(Hadropterus aspro.)

Body slender, fusiform, elongate; head rather long and pointed; the
maxilla extends slightly past front of eye; the mandible is included; the
eye large; gill membranes slightly connected; nape scaly or naked; cheeks
with very small scales; large scales on opercles; caudal peduncle rather
long and slender; caudal fin slightly emarginate.

Dp, XI to XV 5, 11to.13 3 Ay I, (Sito wo: * Scales; 9-65 to, 30-17,

Colour, greenish yellow with dark tessellations and marblings above,
and about seven large blotches along the side which are more or less con-
fluent; fins barred and there is a small spot at base of caudal. Length
three to four inches.

As this species is said to range all through the Great Lakes region
westward to Manitoba, it probably occurs here, though I have not as yet
found it.

It frequents clear streams with gravelly bottoms and is more active
in its habits than most of the other Darters, not concealing itself so closely
under stones.

GENUS COTTOGASTER.

Body rather robust, litthe compressed; head moderate, biuntish;
mouth moderate or small; the lower jaw included; premaxillaries pro-
tractile or occasionally joined by a narrow frenum to the frontal region;
maxillary not adherent to the preorbital; teeth on vomer, gill membranes
nearly separate; scales ctenoid; the middle line of the belly anteriorly
naked or with caducous scales; lateral line continuous; dorsal fins large,
the second usually smaller than the first and smaller than the anal; anal
spines two, the first the longer; pyloric ceca three; skull short, the
frontal region not very narrow, parietals little convex transversely, sutures
distinct ; no supraoccipital crest.

FISH OF ONTARIO. 95

SuBGENUS COTTOGASTER.

(roo) Copeland’s Darter.
(Cottogaster copelandi. )

Body rather slender and elongate; head rather large and long, some-
what narrowed. Mouth small, horizontal, subinferior; cheeks naked;
opercles and neck each with a few scales; throat naked; ventral plates
well developed; scales moderate; strongly ctenoid.

Die tom ell ao tomas ACeL SS or @, “Scales, 6-44) to 56-3:

Colour, brownish olive; a series of rather small, horizontally oblong
black blotches along the lateral line, forming an interrupted lateral band;
back tassellated; blackish streaks forward and downward from eye; ven-
tral fins dusky in the male; vertical fins with dusky specks; a small ink-
like speck at base of caudal, persistent in most specimens; a black spot
on anterior rays of spinous dorsal.

Length, about three inches. The range of a variety of this species,
C. c. putnami, is from Lake Champlain to Lake Huron. It will therefore
probably be found in our waters, though I have not yet obtained it.

Genus BOLEOSOMA’ (TESSELLATED DarRTERS.)

Body moderately elongate, fusiform, but slightly translucent; head
small, narrowed forward, the profile convex; mouth small,:horizontal, the
lower jaw included; premaxillary protractile; maxillaries not adnate to
preorbital; vomerine teeth present; scales large; lateral line continuous or
interrupted behind; belly with ordinary scales; gill membranes broadly
or narrowly connected; dorsal spines usually nine, very slender and flex-
ible, soft dorsal much larger than anal; anal normally with a single, short
slender spine, the first soft ray simple, but articulate; ventrals well sep-
arated; pyloric ceca, three to six; frontal region of skull very short and
narrow ; parietal region flattish above; no supraoccipital crest. Size small,
very active little fishes.

(ror) Johnny Darter.
(Boleosoma nigrum.)

Body slender, fusiform; head conical; snout somewhat decurved ;
mouth small, subinferior, lower jaw included within the upper. Gill covers
scaly, cheeks naked except in occasional individuals; nape usually scaled.

DVM tom xe. Toto m4 eA ez to On. SCales, 5-44) £0: 55-9.

Colour, olivaceous; the back with brown tessellations; sides with
many W-shaped blotches. The head is speckled above, in males usually
black. In the breeding season the whole anterior part of the male is often
black. A dark line forward from the eye and sometimes another down-
ward. Length, about two and a-half inches. This species is common

96 CHECK LIST OF THE

through the Great Lakes region, more particularly so in the west and
north; in the southern and eastern parts of the Province it is represented
by the following sub-species :

My

\\ shtick
ANS fia

: E I ie? i er A 88 8
cou art n/a BA
r4 y Fs

Tessellated Darter. (Boleosoma nigrum olmstedi. )

(102) Tessellated Darter.
(Boleosoma nigrum olmstedi.)

Very similar to the last, but the cheeks and opercles scaly and nape
and breast naked. Lateral line complete.

D2 1X. 14; Axo." About iso-scales ton’ lateral line:

Colour, olivaceous; fins with many narrow bars; back tessellated;
sides with blotches and zigzag markings. Head in spring, males black.
A dark streak forward from the eye and another downward.

This is the most abundant and generally distributed Darter we have.
It is found in most streams and quiet sandy bays of the southern and
eastern parts of the Province, where it lies secreted under stones on the
bottom, or buries itself in the sand, leaving only its eyes visible. When
alarmed it darts with great rapidity to the nearest shelter and trusts to
concealment for protection. It grows to a length of about three inches
and is interesting by reason of its peculiar habits.

Genus AMMOCRYPTA. (Ssnp DarrTers.)

Body slender and elongate, subcylindrical; pellucid in life. Head
slender. Mouth rather wide, horizontal, the lower jaw included; premax-
illaries very protractile; teeth on the vomer. Scales thin, ctenoid, little
imbricated, present along the region of the lateral line, and on the tail,
sometimes wanting on the back or belly; lateral line complete, each tube
occupying nearly the whole length of its scale. Head scaly or naked; no
ventral plates, the belly naked. Gill membranes considerably united,
forming an angle at their junction. Dorsal fins moderate, about equal to
the anal fin and to each other; dorsal with about ten spines; anal spine
weak; ventrals well separated, behind pectorals, their spines feeble; pec-
torals pointed, symmetrical, of twelve to fifteen rays. Pyloric ceca, four.
Frontal region of skull narrow, the parietal region unusually depressed ;
the bones of skeleton all slender and thin. Sutures of skull very distinct ;
supraoccipital crest obsolete. Foramen of hypercoracoid very large.

FISH OF ONTARIO. 97

(103) Sand Darter.
(Ammocrypta pellucida.)

Scales of body not very rough, only those along lateral line and on
tail well imbricated; nape thinly scaled, becoming usually wholly naked
on median line; belly naked; maxillary barely reaching the large eye;
pectorals short.

DIES corto mie AGe eo to-ro, Scales-om lateral: line; 67 to 78:

Colour, translucent; scales with fine black dots; a series of small,
squarish olive or bluish blotches along the back and another along each
side; lateral spots connected by a gilt band. Length, three inches.

As this little fish has a range from Lake Erie to Minnesota, it will
probably be found in our Province, though as yet I have not taken it here.
It frequents clear sandy streams and avoids observation by burying itself
in the sand, leaving only its eyes and snout visible.

Genus ETHEOSTOMA.

Body robust, or rather elongate, compressed ; mouth terminal, or sub-
inferior, varying in size; the lower jaw included or projecting ; premaxil-
laries not protractile; maxillary movable; teeth rather strong, usually
present on vomer and palatines; gill membranes separate or more or less
broadly connected; scales moderate or small, ctenoid, top of head without
scales; scales of the middle line of the belly persistent and similar to the
others; lateral line well developed, nearly straight, often wanting posteri-
orly; fins large, with strong spines, first dorsal usually longer and larger
than the second, with seven to fifteen spines; anal with two strong spines,
the anterior usually the larger, the second rarely obsolete, anal fin always
smaller than the soft dorsal; ventral fins more or less close together ; skull
narow, the parietal region very strongly convex in cross-section, supra-
occipital crest very small or wanting; lower pharyngeals very narrow;
pyloric ceeca three or four; bones rather firm. Many of the species are
excessively variable.

Surcenus NIVICOLA.

(104) Northern Darter.
(Etheostoma boreale.)

Body moderately elongate, somewhat compressed, the caudal peduncle
rather long and stout. Head rather heavy, the snout bluntish, rather
strongly decurved. Anterior profile gently and somewhat evenly arched.
Snout short, about half as long as eye. Mouth nearly horizontal, the lower
jaw included, the maxillary extending to about opposite front of pupil.
Teeth small. Preopercle entire; opercular spine strong. Premaxillary
not protractile. Gill membranes very slightly connected. A small black
humeral scale; cheeks, opercles and nuchal region scaly; breast naked ;
scales of moderate size; lateral line very short, not reaching last spine of

98 CHECK LIST OF THE

dorsal, running rather high and slightly arched. Scales of belly like those
of the sides. Dorsal fins well separated, unusually short and small; soft
dorsal a little higher than spinous dorsal, also unusually small for this
genus; caudal long, truncate or slightly lunate; anal low and short, its
spines high, the first highest; pectorals reaching past tips of ventrals.

De IX One ne le) OG 748 a Calese 4-52-10!

Colour, soft dorsal caudal and pectoral fins with dark bars and a
brownish red tinge, other fins white; a brownish red tinge on sides, most
conspicuous between the darker markings; ten or eleven black bars across
the back, those on the sides are more or less broken up and not so evident.

Length, two and a-half inches.

This Darter was first known only from a small stream near Mont-
real. Since then it has been found in Gull Lake, Muskoka. In all proba-
bility it inhabits many of the clear streams of central Ontario.

Famity SERRANIDA.

Body oblong, more or less compressed, covered with adherent scales
of moderate or small size, which are usually but not always ctenoid; dorsal
and ventral outlines usually not perfectly corresponding. Mouth moderate
or large, not very oblique, the premaxillary protractile and the broad max-
illary usually not slipping for its whole length into a sheath formed by the
preorbital, which is usually narrow. Supplemental maxillary present or
absent. Teeth all conical or pointed, in bands, present on jaws, vomer
and palatines. Gill rakers long or short, usually stiff, armed with teeth.
Gills four, a long slit behind the fourth. Pseudobranchiz present, large.
Lower pharyngeals rather narrow, with pointed teeth. Gill membranes
separate, free from the isthmus. Branchiostegals normally seven (occa-
sionally six). Cheeks and opercles always scaly ; preopercle with its margin
more or less serrate, rarely entire; the opercles usually ending in one or
two flat spine-like points. Nostrils double. Lateral line single, not
extending to the caudal fin. Skull without cranial spines and usually
without well developed cavernous structure. No suborbital stay. Post-
temporal normal, second suborbital with an internal lamina supporting
the globe of the eye; enteroptygoid present; all or most of the ribs inserted
on the transverse processes when these are developed; anterior vertebrae
without transverse processes. Dorsal spines usually stiff; anal fin rather
short, its soft rays seven to twelve; its spines if present always three in
our species. Ventrals thoracic without distinct axillary scale. Pectorals
well developed, with narrow base, the rays branched. Caudal peduncle
stout. Air bladder present, usually small and adherent to the wall of the
abdomen. Stomach cecal, with few or many pyloric appendages; intes-
tines short, as is usual in carnivorous fishes.

(‘sdoshayo snoooy ) “ssVgq airy A,

FISH OF ONTARIO. 99

Genus ROCCUS. (Stripep Bass.)

Base of tongue with one or two patches of teeth; anal spines gradu-
ated ; dorsal fins entirely separate; anal rays III., 11 or 12; supraoccipital
crest scarcely widened above; lower jaw projecting.

SUBGENUS LEPIBEMA.

(105) White Bass.
(Roccus chrysops.)

Body oblong, elevated and compressed; head subconical, depressed
over eye; mouth moderate, the maxillary reaching to below middle of eye;
villiform teeth in bands on jaws, palatines vomer and tongue; the dorsal
outline much curved.

Dee a t4s a Lier to 12: -Scales,6-G0-13-

Colour, silvery, tinged with golden below; sides with narrow dusky
lines, about five above the lateral line, one along it and a variable member
below, these sometimes more or less interrupted or transposed. Length,
twelve to fifteen inches; weight, about a pound and a half.

The White Bass is found in all the Great Lakes of Ontario; it rarely
ascends streams, but occurs sometimes abundantly at the mouth of the
larger rivers. It is gregarious, usually swimming in shoals containing a
large number of individuals. As a game fish it ranks high, for it takes
minnow bait readily, and during the summer months rises to a fly well.
It is an excellent table fish when fresh caught.

It spawns in May or June.

Suborder RHEGNOPTERI.
FamMiILy SCIAZENIDA®. (THE Drums.)

Body compressed, more or less elongate, covered with thin more or
less ctenoid scales. Lateral line continuous, extending on caudal fin;
head usually large, scaly; bones of head cavernous, the muciferous system
highly developed, the surface of the skull very uneven; chin with pores;
mouth and teeth various; maxillary without supplemental bone, slipping
beneath preorbital; premaxillaries protractile; nostrils double; pseudo-
branchiz usually present and usually large; branchiostegals seven; gill
membranes separate, free from the isthmus; lower pharyngeals separate
or un ted, often enlarged, the teeth conic or molar; preopercle serrate or
not, opercle usually ending in two flat points; dorsal deeply notched or
divided into two fins, the soft portion being the longer, the spines depres-
sible into a groove; anal with never more than two spines; caudal usually
not forked; ear-bones or otoliths very large; air bladder usually large and
complicated, its structure enabling the fish to make grunting or drumming
sounds.

100 CHECK LIST OF THE

Genus APLODINOTUS. (FRESH-waTER Drum.)

Body oblong, the snout blunt, the back elevated and compressed;
mouth rather small, low, horizontal, the lower jaw included; teeth in viili-
form bands, the outer above scarcely enlarged; no barbels; pseudo-
branchie rather small; gill rakers short and blunt; lower pharyngeals
very large, fully united, with coarse blunt paved teeth; preopercle slightly
serrate; dorsal spines strong and high, with a close fitting scaly sheath
at base, the two dorsals somewhat connected; second anal spine very
strong; caudal double truncate; air bladder very large, simple, with no
appendages; pyloric ceca, seven; vertebra, 10+ 14=24.

(106) Sheepshead. Fresh-water Drum.
(Aplodinotus grunniens. )

Body moderately elongate, somewhat compressed; head rather short ;
snout obtuse; maxilla reaches to below the middle of the eye; lower jaw
shorter than the upper.

D. IX. I., 30 to 31; A. II., 7. ‘The scales are very irregularly placed,
about fifty-five on the lateral line.

Colour, greyish, darker on the back; lower parts silvery. Young
specimens have dark spots along the rows of scales, forming oblique lines.

A common fish distributed throughout the entire Great Lakes region
and particularly abundant in Lake Erie. It reaches a large size, specimens
of over fifty pounds’ weight having been taken from southern waters.
With us, however, about eight or ten pounds would be the maximum.

It is a bottom fish, feeding chiefly upon crustaceans and molluscs.
It occasionally takes a minnow bait, but I have not found it a ready biter.
When hooked it fights hard and affords good sport to the angler, but as a
food fish it is worthless, its flesh being tough and coarse, with an unpleas-
ant odour.

The name Jewel-head sometimes given to this fish refers to the oto-
liths, or ear-bones, frequently called ‘‘lucky stones,’’? which are found in
its skull.

Order PLECTOGNATHI. (The Plectognathous Fishes.)

One of the most important offshoots of the Acanthopteri is the group
or order Plectognathi. The extremes of this group show a remarkable
divergence from the usual type of spiny-rayed fishes.

The Plectognathi are thus defined by Dr. Gill: Scapula suspended
to the cranium by a post-temporal which is short, undivided and anchy-
losed to the epiotic. Premaxillaries usually coéssified with the maxillaries
behind and the dentary bones with the articular; interopercle a slender
rod; lower pharyngeal bones distinct; upper pharyngeals laminar, usually
vertical and transverse; skin usually with rough shields or scales or bony
plates ; skeleton imperfectly ossified, the number of vertebree usually small,

’

typically less than 24 (usually 14 to 20), rarely considerably increased. Gill

(ssuarwunsB |

sryoupoldy )

‘peoysdeoyg

a

FISH OF ONTARIO. 101

openings restricted to the sides ; ventral fins reduced or wanting, the pelvic
bones usually elongate. Spinous dorsal small or wanting; air bladder
without duct.

Fishes mostly inactive and depending on their tough skin or bony or
spinous armature for their protection.

Suborder LORICATI.
Famiry COTTIDAS. -(THE ScuLrins.)

Body more or less elongate, the head usually large and depressed ;
eyes high; bony stay conspicuous, but not covering the cheek; preopercle
armed; teeth in villiform bands; maxillary simple; gills three and a half
or four; gill membranes connected, often joined to isthmus. Body naked,
or irregularly scaled, or warty, never evenly scaled; lateral line present.
Dorsals usually separate, the spines slender ; anal without spines; pectorals
large, with broad procurrent base, the lower rays simple; ventrals thoracic,
sometimes wanting, never united. Pseudobranchie present. Vertebre
numerous, thirty-five to fifty.

Group COTTINA::
Genus COTTUS. (FRESH-WATER SCULPINS.)

Body fusiform. Head feebly armed; skin smooth or more or less
velvety, its prickles, if present, not bony or scalelike; villiform teeth on
jaws and vomer and sometimes on palatines. Gill openings separated by
a wide isthmus over which the membranes do not form a fold; no slit
behind the fourth gill. Branchiostegals six. Dorsals nearly or quite
separate, the first of six to nine slender spines; ventrals moderate, each
with a short, concealed spine and four soft rays. Lateral line present,
usually more or less chain-like, sometimes incomplete. Preopercle with
a simple spine at its angle, which is usually curved upward, its base more
or less covered by skin, very rarely obsolete, usually two or three spines
turned downward below this; subopercle usually with a concave spine
turned downward. Vertebre, 10+ 23=33. Pyloric ceca, about four.

J

SuBGENUS PEGEDICTUS.

(107) Miller’s Thumb. Blob.
(Cottus ictalops. )

Body rather robust, gradually tapering to the tail; head very broad ;
preopercle with a short, sharp, straightish spine, turned upward and back-
ward, with two smaller spines below it; skin usually smooth, sometimes
with minute prickles behind axil of pectoral; spinous dorsal begins slightly
behind end of head, separated from second dorsal by a deep notch; second
dorsal about two and one-third times longer than first and one-third
longer than anal base. Pectoral, ventral and caudal fins well developed.

102 CHECK LIST OF THE

DV stom Vil 1654 A. 12 nko.

Colour, olivaceous, much speckled; sides usually with several distinct
and rather broad cross bands; fins barred and mottled. Length, five or
six inches. Very variable in size, colour, and length of fins.

This fish ranges through the entire Great Lake Region and is abun-
dant in some of the Lake Superior trout streams, where it is said to be
very destructive to the eggs and young of Brook Trout.

Genus URANIDEA. (MILLER’s THUMBs.)

This genus is very close to Cottus, from which it differs in the reduc-
tion of its ventrals to a concealed spine and three soft rays, a step further
in the degeneration characteristic of fresh-water types. The skin is
smooth or very nearly so, the preopercular spines small, and there is
usually no trace of teeth on the palatines.

(109) Franklin’s Sculpin.
(Uranidea franklini.)

Body rather short and stout; snout not very obtuse; maxillary reach-
ing about to pupil; eye four in head; preopercular spine hook-like, very
acute; paired fins rather short, the pectorals not reaching vent; first dorsal
nearly as high as second; dorsals contiguous; anal inserted under fourth
ray of second dorsal; caudal six in length; lateral line incomplete; vent
nearer base of caudal than tip of snout.

DS Val rat as oes cae es elle 3s

Length, three inches.

Lake Superior.

(108) Lake Miller’s Thumb.

(Uranidea formosa.)

Body slender and graceful; head smail, depressed above; eyes mod-
erate; preopercular spine short, stout, acute, curved upwards; a small
spine below it ; subopercular spine well developed. Dorsals well separated ;
anal beginning under third ray of soft dorsal; pectorals not reaching to
posterior margin of spinous dorsal; ventrals not nearly to vent.

D, Vill. 16; Aji” Leneth, three and one-fourth inches:

A single mutilated specimen has been recorded, this having been
found by Prof. S. F. Baird in the stomach of a Burbot (Lota maculosa)
taken from Lake Ontario.

GENus TRIGLOPSIS.

Body and head slender; skin naked; lateral line chainlike; teeth on
vomer, none on the palatines; eye large, the interorbital area concave ;

FISH OF ONTARIO. 103

bones of lower part of head extensively cavernous; a small but distinct
slit behind last gill; gill membranes almost free from the isthmus, forming
a broad fold across it; preopercular spines straight, simple, four in num-
ber, the lower turned downward; fins large.

(110) Lake Sculpin.
(Triglopsis thompsoni. )

Body elongate, very slender. Head long, depressed above. Snout
long and pointed; eye quite large; jaws subequal; mouth large; the max-
illary extending rather beyond middle of eye; preopercle with four sharp
spines; cavernous structure of skull highly developed; upper surface of
head smooth; gill membranes not broadly united; nearly free from isth-
mus. Dorsal fins well separated; spinous dorsal short and low; second
dorsal very large; anal high; pectoral long, reaching past front of anal;
ventrals well developed; lateral line chain-like, conspicuous; skin _per-
fectly smooth.

ID MT ae Aa iS.

Colour, pale olivaceous with darker blotches; upper fins faintly
banded.

Little is known of this species. Specimens have been taken occa-
sionally from deep water in Lake Ontario, but there are no other records
for this Province.

Suborder ANACANTHINI.
Famity GADIDAE. (CopFISHES.)

Body elongate, ending in an isocercal tail; scales small, cycloid.
Mouth large, the teeth various. No pseudobranchiz. -Vertical fins sep-
arate. Dorsal and anal long; no fin spines. Gill openings very wide, the
membranes free from the isthmus. Gills four; air bladder present. Pyloric
ceca numerous. Vertebra, about fifty.

Carnivorous fishes chiefly of the northern seas, many of them of great
economic value. One species in fresh waters.

Genus LOTA. (Lincs.)

Body long and low, compressed behind ; head small, depressed, rather
broad; anterior nostrils each with a small barbel; chin with a long barbel ;
snout and lower parts of head naked; mouth moderate, the lower jaw
included; each jaw with broad bands of equal villiform teeth; vomer with
a broad crescent-shaped band of similar teeth; no teeth on palatines; gil]
openings wide, the membrane somewhat connected, free from the isthmus ;
scales very small, embedded; vertical fins scaly; dorsal fins two, the first
short, the second long, similar to the anal; caudal rounded, its outer rays
procurrent; ventrals of several rays.

104 CHECK LIST OF THE

(111) Burbot. Ling.

(Lota maculosa.)

Body elongate, somewhat eel-shaped, slightly compressed posteriorly.
Eye small. The upper jaw reaches slightly beyond the hind margin of the
eye; the lower jaw included in the upper, and has a stout barbel which is
nearly one-fifth as long as the head. The ventral is longer than the pec-
toral, but does not reach half way to vent; the dorsal fins are separated
by a narrow interspace, second dorsal higher than first; caudal rounded ;
the scales are deeply embedded in the skin, not imbricated.

Dol 8 OSmtOR 70 yas, O77.

Colour, dark olivaceous, reticulated with blackish, the lower parts
yellowish or dusky; the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins with a narrow, dark
edge.

The average length of this species in our waters is about two feet.
It is found in all the larger lakes and rivers of the Province, usually in
deep water, except during the spawning season in the spring, when it runs
into streams or on to rocky shallows.

In this Province it is considered worthless as a food or game fish,
but in the Yukon and some parts of the far north its flesh is eaten and its
liver is considered a delicacy.

(‘psojnopu njoT) “qoqang

APPENDIX.
BLUE DARTER; RAINBOW DARTER (Etheostoma ceeruleum).

Head 3#, depth 4}, eye 4 to 44 in head, little shorter than snout, D.
IX to XII—12 to 14. A. IL., 7 or 8; scales 5—37 to 50—10 usually 5—
45=10 pores 18 to 35. Body robust, rather deep and compressed, the
back somewhat elevated. Head large, compressed. Mouth moder-
ate, terminal, oblique, the lower jaw somewhat included the maxillary,
reaching front of orbit; opercular spine moderate; gill membranes not
connected. Palatine teeth in one row. Cheeks naked or nearly so,
opercles scaled; neck and breast usually naked. Fins all large, dorsal
fins usually slightly connected. Anal spines subequal, or the first a little
the longer: caudal rounded; pectoral nearly or quite as long as head.

Males olivaceous tessellated above, the spots running together into
blotches; back without black lengthwise stripes; sides with about 12
indigo blue bars running obliquely downward and backward, most dis-
tinct behind, separated by bright orange interspaces; caudal fin deep
orange, edged with bright blue, anal fin orange, with deep blue in front
and behind; soft dorsal, chiefly orange, blue at base and tip; spinous
dorsal, crimson at base, then orange with blue edgings; ventrals deep
indigo; cheeks blue; throat and breast orange; females much duller,
with little blue or red, the vertical fins barred or checked; young
variously marked, no dark humeral spot. Length 24 inches.

Gayest of all the Darters, and indeed the gaudiest of all fresh water
fishes.

It makes its home in the ripples and shallows of the rivers and in
the shady retreats of brooks.

It is a chubby little fish as compared with the other Darters. In its
movements it is awkward and ungraceful, though swift and savage as a
Pike. One of the mildest of its tricks which we have noticed is this. It
would gently put its head over a stone and catch a water boatman by
one of its swimming legs, release it, catch it again and again release it,
until at last the boatman evidently much annoyed swam away out of its
reach. It will follow to the surface of the water a piece of meat. sus-
pended by a string. It is more alert in discovering this than a hungry
Sunfish or Rock Bass, and it can be led around like a pet lamb by a
thread to which is fastened a section of a worm. (Jordan and Evermann).

While this work was in the printers’ hands, I took several specimens
of this beautiful fish in a swift, rocky stream, flowing through the eastern

side of the County of York.

LONG-NOSED DACE (Rhinicthys cataract).

At the same place where I found the Blue Darter, this species was
abundant; it is probable therefore that it is more generally distributed
through the Province than has been heretofore supposed.

[105]

GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL PERMS:

A.

Abdomen. Belly.

Aberrant. Deviating from ordinary character.

Abortive. Remaining or becoming imperfect.

Actinosts. A series of bones at the base of the pectoral rays.

Acuminate. Tapering gradually to a point.

Acute. Sharp-pointed.

Adipose fin. A peculiar fleshy fin-like projection behind the dorsal fin, on
the backs of salmons, catfishes, etc.

Adult. A mature animal.

A githognathus. Having the peculiar palate of passerine birds.

Air-bladder. A sac filled with air, lying beneath the backbone of fishes,
corresponding to the lungs of the higher vertebrates.

Albinism. State of whiteness, complete or partial, arising from deficiency
or entire lack of pigment in the skin and its appendages.

Alisphenoid. A small bone on the anterior wall of the brain-case.

Allantois. An organ of the embryo.

Altrices. Birds hatched in an immature condition, reared in the nest and
fed by the parents.

Altricial. Having the nature of altrices.

Alula. Literally, little wing. The feathers attached to the so-called
‘“‘thumb’’ of a bird.

Alveolar surface. A portion of the jaw of a Turtle, where the teeth sockets
are developed in other reptiles.

Amnion. An organ of the embryo.

Amphicelian. Double-concave, said of vertebra.

Anadromous. Running up—said of marine fishes which run up rivers to
spawn.

Anal. Pertaining to the anus or vent.

Anal fin. The fin on the median line behind the vent on fishes.

Anal plate. The plate immediately in front of the vent on serpents, often
divided in two by a median suture.

Anchylosed. Grown firmly together.

Angular. A small bone on the posterior end of the mandible.

Anteorbital plate. The plate (one or two) in front of the eye in serpents,
with its longest diameter vertical; also called preocular.

Antrorse. Turned forward.

Anus. The external opening of the intestine; the vent.

Arboreal. Living in trees.

Arterial bulb. The muscular swelling at the base of the great artery, in
fishes.

[106]

FISH OF ONTARIO. 107

Articular. The bone of the mandible, supporting the dentary.

Articulate. Jointed.

Artiodactylous. Even-toed (2 or 4).

Atlas. The first vertebra.

Atrophy. Non-development.

Attenuate. Long and slender, as if drawn out.

Auditory capsule. The ventrolateral swelling of the skull.

Auricle. The large lobe of the external ear; also one of the chambers of
the heart.

Axillars. Elongated feathers on the sides of the body under the wings.

B.

Band or bar. Any colour mark transverse to the long axis of the body.
Barbel. An elongated fleshy projection usually about the head in fishes.
Basal. Pertaining to the base; at or near the base.

Basibranchials. A lower median series of bones of the branchial arches.

Basioccipital. A median posterior ventral bone of the skull to which the
atlas is attached.

Basipterygoid. Bones developed in the palatine arch in some birds.

Basis cranii. Formed by shelves of bone developed from the inner sides
of the prootics, which meet and form a root to the myodome and
a floor to the brain cavity.

Beak. The bill of birds or (in other animals) any beak-like structure.

Bend of wing. Angle at the carpus when the wing is folded.

Bicolour. Two-coloured.

Bicuspid. Having two points.

Booted. Said of the tarsus in birds, when its scales coalesce and form a
continuous envelope, as in the Robin.

Brachial ossicles. Synonymous with actinosts.

Branchie. Gills; respiratory organs of fishes.

Branchial. Pertaining to the gills.

Branchihyals. Small bones at base of gill arches.

Branchiostegals. The bony rays supporting the branchiostegal mem-
branes under the head of a fish, below the opercular bones and
behind the lower jaw.

Bristle. A stiff hair, or hair-like feather.

Buccal. Pertaining to the mouth.

Caducous. Falling off early.

Cecal. Of the form of a blind sac.

Czcum. An appendage of the form of a blind sac connected with the ali-
mentary canal.

108 CHECK LIST OF THE

Calcareous. Chalky.

Canines. The teeth behind the incisors—the ‘“‘eye teeth’’ in fishes; any
conical teeth in the front part of the jaws, longer than the others.

Canthus. Corner of the eye where the lids meet.

Carapace. The upper shell of a Turtle, usually composed of bony plates
covered by horny scales.

Cardiform. (Teeth.) Teeth coarse and sharp, like wool cards.

Carinate. Keeled, having a ridge along the middle line.

Carotid. The great artery running to the head.

Carpal angle. Prominence at the wrist-joint when the wing is closed.
From this point to the end of the longest quill constitutes the
“length of wing.”’

Carpus. The wrist.

Catadromous. Running down; said of fresh water fish which run down
to the sea to spawn.

Caudal. Pertaining to the tail.

Caudal fin. The fin on the tail of fishes and whales.

Caudal peduncle. The region between the anal and caudal fins in fishes.

Cavernous. Containing cavities either empty or filled with a mucous
secretion.

Centrum. The body of a vertebra.

Cephalic fins. Fins on the head of certain rays; a detached portion of the
pectoral.

Ceratobranchials. Bones of the branchial arches just below their angle.

Ceratohyal. One of the hyoid bones.

Cervical. Pertaining to the neck.

Chiasma. Crossing of the fibres of the optic nerve.

Chin. Space between the forks of the lower jaw.

Ciliated. Fringed with eyelash-like projections.

Cirri. Fringes.

Claspers. Organs attached to the ventral fins in the male of Sharks, Rays,
etc.

Clavicle. The collar-bone, or lower anterior part of shoulder girdle not
entering into socket of arm.

Cloaca. A common opening of genital, urinary and alimentary canals.

Commissure. The line upon which the mandibles of a bird are closed.

Compressed. Flattened laterally.

Condyle. Articulating surface of a bone.

Conirostral. Said of a bill like that of a Sparrow; conical in form and
with the commissure angulated.

Coracoid. The principal bone of the shoulder girdle in fishes; otherwise
a bone or cartilage on the ventral side, helping to form the arm-
socket.

Costal folds. Folds of the skin (of a Salamander) showing the position of
the ribs (coste).

FISH OF ONTARIO. 109

Coverts, Small feathers hiding the bases of the quills.

Cranial. Pertaining to the cranium or skull.

Crest. In birds any lengthened feathers about the head; elsewhere any
elevated or crest-like projection.

Crissum. The under tail coverts in birds.

Ctenoid. Rough-edged; said of scales when the posterior margin is min-
utely spinous or pectinated.

Culmen. The middle line or ridge of the upper mandible in. birds.

Cuneate. Wedge-shaped; said of a bird’s tail when the middle feathers
are longest and the rest regularly shorter. :

Cycloid. Smooth-edged; said of scales not ctenoid, but concentrically
striate.

Dy:

Deciduous. Temporary; falling off.

Decomposed. Separate; standing apart.

Decurved. Curved downward.

Dentary. The principal or anterior bone of the lower jaw, usually bear-
ing the teeth.

Dentate. With tooth-like notches.

Denticle. A little tooth.

Dentirostral. Having the bill notched near its tip.

Depressed. Flattened vertically.

Depth. Vertical diameter (usually of the body of fishes).

Dermal. Pertaining to the skin.

Desmognathous. United palate, as in the lower water birds (Loons,
Gulls, etc.).

Diagnostic. Distinctively characteristic.

Diaphanous. Translucent.

Diaphragm. Muscular septum between thorax and abdomen.

Diapophysis. Transverse process of a vertebra.

Digitigrade. Walking on the toes like a dog.

Distal. Remote from point of attachment.

Dorsal. Pertaining to the back.

Dorsal fin. The fin on the back of fishes.

E

Emarginate. Slightly forked, or notched at the tip; abruptly narrowed or
notched toward the tip (said of quills).

Endoskeleton. The skeleton proper; the inner bony framework of the
body.
Enteron. The alimentary anal.

110 CHECK LIST OF THE

Epibranchials. The bones directly above the angle of the branchial arches.

Epihyal. One of the hyoid bones.

Epipleurals. Rays of bone attached to the ribs and anterior vertebra,
usually touching the skin in the vicinity of the lateral line.

Erectile. Susceptible of being raised or erected.

Erythrism. A peculiar reddish state of plumage.

Ethmoid. A median anterior bone of the skull.

Eustachian tubes. Tubes connecting the inner ear with the pharynx.

Even (tail). Having all the feathers of equal length.

Exoccipitals. Two bones of the skull, one on each side of the foramen
magnum.

Exoskeleton. Hard parts (scales, scutes, feathers, hairs) on the surface
of the body.

Exserted. Projecting beyond the general level.

Extra-limital. Beyond the limits.

Ee

Facial. Pertaining to the face.

Falcate. Sickle-shaped; long, narrow and curved,

Falciform. Curved like a scythe.

Fauna. The animals inhabiting any region taken collectively.

Femoral. Pertaining to the thigh, or proximal bone of the hinder leg.

Ferruginous. Rusty red.

Fibula. The small outer leg bone.

Filament. Any slender or thread-like structure.

Filiform. Thread-form.

Fissirostral. Having the bill very deeply cleft, beyond the base of the
horny part, as in the Swallows.

Fontanel. An unossified space on top of head covered with membrane.

Foramen. A hole or opening.

Foramen magnum. The aperture in the posterior part of the skull for the
passage of the spinal cord.

Forehead. Frontal curve of head.

Forficate. Deeply forked; scissors-like.

Foss@ (nasal). Grooves in which the nostrils open.

Fossorial. Adapted for digging.

Frontal bone. Anterior bone on top of head, usually paired.

Fulcra. Rudimentary spine-like projections extending on the anterior
rays of the fins of ganoid fishes.

Fuliginous. Sooty-brown.

Fulvous. Of a brownish yellow colour.

Furcate. Forked.

Fuscous. Of a dark grayish-brown colour.

Fusiform. Spindle-shaped; tapering towards both ends, but rather more
abruptly forward.

FISH OF ONTARIO. 111

Ganglion. A nerve centre.

Ganoid. Scales or plates of bone covered by enamel.

Gape. Opening of the mouth.

Gastrosteges. Band-like plates along the belly of a serpent; ventral
plates.

Gibbous. Swollen; protuberant.

Gills. Organs for breathing the air contained in water.

Gill-arches. The bony arches to which the gills are attached.

Gill-openings. Openings leading to or from the branchie.

Gillrakers. A series of bony appendages variously formed along the inner
edge of the anterior gill arch.

Glabrous. Smooth.

Glossohyal. The tongue bone.

Gonys. The middle line of the lower mandible.

Gorget. Throat patch of peculiar feathers.

Graduated (spines). Progressively longer backward; the third being as
much longer than secend as second is longer than first.
Graduated (tail). One in which the outer feathers are regularly shorter

from the middle.
Granulate. Rough with small prominences.
Gular. Pertaining to the upper fore-neck.
Guitate. Having drop-shaped spots.

H.

Hemal arch. An arch under a hemal spine for the passage of a blood-
vessel.

Hemal canal. The series of hemal arches as a whole.

Hemal spine. The lowermost spine of a caudal vertebra, in fishes.

Hemopophyses. Appendages on the lower side of abdominal vertebre in
fishes.

Hallux. The great toe—in birds the hind toe.

Height. Vertical diameter.

Heterocercal. Said of the tail of a fish when unequal—the backbone evi-
dently running into the upper lobe.

Hirsute. With shaggy hairs.

Homocercal. Said of the tail of a fish when not evidently unequal; the
backbone apparently stopping at the middle of the base of the
caudal fin.

Humerus. Bone of the upper arm.

Hyoid. Pertaining to the tongue.

Hyoid apparatus. Formed by a series of bones extending along the inner
side of the mandible and supporting the tongue.

112 CHECK LIST OFTHE

Hyomandibular. A bone by which the posterior end of the suspensorium
is articulated with the skull; the supporting eleuient of the sus-
pensorium, the mandible, the hyoid apparatus, and the opercular
apparatus. .

Hypercoracoid. The upper of the two bones attached to the clavicle indi-
rectly bearing the pectoral fin.

Hypleural. The modified last vertebra supporting the caudal fin.

Hypobranchials. Bones of the branchial arches below the ceratobranch-
ials.

Hypocoracoid. The lower of the two bones attached to the two clavicles
behind.

Hypognathous. Having the lower mandible longer than the upper, as in
the Black Skimmer.

Hypophyals. Small bones, usually four, by which the respective sides of
the hyoid apparatus are joined.

Imbricate. Overlapping, like shingles on a roof.

Imperforate. Not pierced through.

Inarticulate. Not jointed.

Incisors. The front, or cutting teeth.

Infraoral. Below the mouth.

Interfemoral membrane. The membrane connecting the posterior limbs
of a bat.

Interhemal spines. Elements supporting the anal fin.

Interhemals. Bones to which anal rays are attached in fishes.

Interhyal. Upper hyoid bone attached to hyomandibular.

Intermaxillaries. The premaxillaries; the bones forming the middle of
the front part of the upper jaw in fishes.

Intermusculars. Synonym of epipleurals.

Internasals. Plates on the forehead of the snake on the line connecting
the two nostrils.

Interneurals. Bones to which the dorsal rays are attached in fishes.

Interopercle. Membrane bone between the preopercle and the branchio-
stegals.

Interorbital. Space between the eyes.

Interscapular. Between the shoulders.

Interspinals. Bones to which fin-rays are attached (in fishes) inserted
between neural spines above and hemal spines below.

{socercal (tail). Last vertebre progressively smaller and ending in median
line of caudal fin as in the Cod-fish.

Isthmus. The narrow unperforated floor of the mouth, between the gill
openings in fishes.

FISH OF ONTARIO. 113

J.

Jugular. Pertaining to the lower throat; said of the ventral fins when
placed in advance of the attachment of the pectorals.
Jugulum. The lower throat.

K.

Keeled. Having a ridge along the middle line.

L.

Labials. Plates forming the lip of a serpent.

Lacustrine. Living in lakes.

Lamelle. Plate-like processes, such as are seen inside a duck’s bill.

Lamellate. Said of a bill provided with lamelle, as in a duck.

Lanceolate. Shaped like the head of a lance.

Larva. An immature form, which must undergo change of appearance
before becoming adult.

Larynx. A hollow cartilaginous organ; a modification of the windpipe.

Lateral. To or towards the side.

Lateral line. A series of muciferous tubes forming a raised line along the
sides of a fish.

Lateral processes. Synonym of parapophyses.

Laterally. Sidewise.

Lobate. Furnished with membranous flaps; said of the toes of birds.

Lobe. Membranous flap.

Longitudinal. Running lengthwise.

Loral plate. Plate between eye and nostril of a serpent, before and below
preocular when this is present; its longest. diameter horizontal.

Lores. Space between eye and bili.

Lunate. Form of the new moon; having a broad and rather shallow fork.

M.

Mammary Glands. Glands secreting milk.

Mandible. Under jaw (or in birds either jaw).

Maxilla or maxillary. Upper jaw.

Maxillaries. Outermost or hindmost bones of the upper jaw in fishes;
they are joined to the premaxillaries in front and usually extend
further back than the latter. are

Melanism. State of colouration arising from excess of dark pigment; a
frequent condition of hawks.

Membrane. Soft skinny covering of the bill of some birds.

Wie.

114 CHECK LIST OF THE

Mesethmoid. Synonym of ethmoid.

Mesopterygoid. A bone of the suspensorium.

Metacarpus. The hand proper exclusive of the fingers.

Metamorphosis. A decided change in form.

Metapterygoid. A bone of the suspensorium, or chain supporting the
lower jaw.

Metatarsus. The foot proper.

Molars. The grinding teeth; posterior teeth in the jaw.

Monogamous. Pairing; said of birds.

Muciferous. Producing or containing mucus.

Myocomma. A muscular band.

Myodome. Cavity under the brain for the reception of the rectus muscles
of the eye.

N.

Nape. Upper part of neck, next to the occiput.

Nares. Nostrils, anterior and posterior.

Nasal. Pertaining to the nostrils.

Nasal plate. Plate in which the nostrils are inserted.

Neural arch. An opening through the base of the neural spine, for the
passage of the spinal cord.

Neural canal. The neural arches as a whole.

Neural processes. Two plates rising vertically, one on each side of the
centrum of the vertebra, which unite toward their ends and form
a spine.

Neural spine. The uppermost spine of a vertebra.

Nictitating membrane. The third or inner eyelid, of birds, sharks, etc.

Notochord. A cellular cord, which in the embryo precedes the vertebral
column.

Nucha. The upper part of the hind neck, next the hind head.

Nuchal. Pertaining to the nape or nucha.

O.

Obscure. Scarcely visible.

Obsolete. Faintly marked; scarcely evident.

Obtuse. Blunt.

Occipital. Pertaining to the occiput.

Occipital condyle. That part of the occipital bone modified to articulate
with the atlas.

Occipital plates. Plates on the head of a serpent, behind the vertical plate.

Qcciput. Back of the head.

Ocellate. With eye-like spots, generally roundish and with a lighter
border.

FISH OF ONTARIO. 115

Oid (suffix). Like; as Percoid, perch-like.

Opercle, or operculum. Gill cover; the posterior membrane bone of the
side of the head, in fishes.

Opercular bones. Membrane bones of the side of the head, in fishes.

Opercular flap. Prolongation of the upper posterior angle of the opercle,
in Sun-fishes.

Opisthocelian. Concave behind only; said of vertebrae which connect by
ball and socket joints.

Opistholic. A bone of the skull to which the lower limb of the post-tem-
poral usually articulates.

Orbicular. Nearly circular.

Orbit. Eye socket.

Oscine. Musical.

Oscines. A group of singing birds.

Osseous. Bony.

Ossicula auditus. Bones of the ear in fishes.

Osteology. Study of bones.

Oviparous. Producing eggs which are developed after exclusion from the
body, as in all birds and most fishes.

Ovoviviparous. Producing eggs which are hatched before exclusion, as in
the Dogfish and Garter Snake.

Ovum. Egg.

Palate. The roof of the mouth.

Palatines. Membrane bones of the roof of mouth; one on each side,
extending outward and backward from the vomer.

Palmate. Web-footed; having the anterior toes full-webbed.

Palustrine. Living in swamps.

Papilla. A smail, fleshy projection.

Papillose. Covered with papille.

Paragnathous. Having the two mandibles about equal in length.

Parasitic. Living on, or deriving nourishment from some other living
thing. Habitually making use of other birds’ nests.

Parapophyses. The lateral projections on some of the abdominal verte-
bree to support ribs.

Parasphenoid. Bone of roof of mouth behind the vomer. Synonym of
prefrontal.

Paratoid. A glandular body behind the ear in Batrachians.

Parietal. Bone of the side of the head above.

Parotic process. A posterior lateral process of the skull formed by the
pterotic and opiosthotic.

Pectinate. Having teeth like a comb.

Pectoral. Pertaining to the breast.

116 CHECK LIST OF THE

Pectoral fins. The anterior or upermost of the paired fins, in fishes cor-
responding to the anterior limbs of the higher vertebates.

Pelage. The hair of a mammal taken collectively.

Pelagic. Living on or in the high seas.

Pelvic girdle. The bones supporting the ventral fins or pelvics.

Pelvis. The bones to which the hinder limbs (ventral fins in fishes) are
attached.

Perforate. Pierced through; said of nostrils when without a septum.

Perissodactylous. Odd toed (toes 1, 3 or 5).

Peritoneum. The membrane lining the abdominal cavity.

Phalanges. Bones of the fingers and toes.

Pharyngeal bones. Bones behind the gills and at the beginning of the
cesophagus of fishes, of various forms, almost always provided
with teeth; usually one pair below and four pairs above. They
represent a fifth gill arch.

Pharyngobranchials. Upper elements of the branchial arches usually
bearing teeth.

Pharyngonathous. Having the lower pharyngeal bones united.

Physoclistous. Having the air bladder closed.

Physostomous. Having the air bladder connected by a tube with the ali-
menatry canal.

Pigment. Colouring matter.

Pineal body. A small ganglion in the brain; a rudiment of an optic lobe,
which in certain lizards (and in extinct forms) is connected with
a third or median eye.

Pituitary body. A small ganglion in the brain.

Planta. Sole of foot.

Plastron. Lower shell of a turtle.

Plicate. Folded, showing transverse folds or wrinkles.

Plumage. The feathers of a bird taken collectively.

Plumbeous. Lead-coloured; dull bluish gray.

Pollex. Thumb; in birds the digit which bears the alula—corresponding
to the index finger.

Polygamous. Mating with more than one female.

Postclavicle. A ray composed of one or two bones attached to the inner
upper surface of the clavicle and extending downward.

Post-frontal (plates). The ones before the vertical plate.

Post-orbital. Behind the eye.

Post-temporal. The bone, in fishes, by which the shoulder girdle is sus-
pended to the cranium.

Preecoces. Birds able to run about and feed themselves at once when
hatched.

Precocial. Having the nature of proecoces.

Preecoracoid. A portion of coracoid more or less separated from the rest.

Preecoracoid arch. An arch in front of the coracoid in most soft-rayed
fishes.

FISH OF ONTARIO. i Be

Prefrontal (plates). Those in front of post-frontal.

Premaxillaries. The bones, one on either side, forming the front of the
upper jaw in fishes. They are usually larger than the maxillaries
and commonly bear most of the upper teeth.

Premolars. The small grinders; the teeth between the canines and the
true molars.

Preocular. Before the eye.

Preopercle. The membrane bone lying in front of the opercle and more
or less nearly parallel with it.

Preorbital. The large membrane bone before the eye in fishes.

Primary. Any one of the large stiff quills growing upon the pinion or
hand bones of a bird (usually nine or ten, sometimes eleven in
number); as distinguished from the secondaries, which grow
upon the forearm.

Primary wing coverts. The coverts overlying the base of the primaries.

Procelian. Concave in front only.

Procurrent (fin). With the lower rays inserted progressively farther for-
ward.

Projectile. Capable of being thrust forward.

Prootic. A bone forming an anterolateral ossification of the brain-case.

Protractile. Capable of being drawn forward.

Proximal. Nearest.

Pseudobranchiaz. Small gills developed on the inner side of the opercle,
near its junction with the preopercle.

Pterotic. A bone at the posterior lateral process of the skull.

Pterygoids. Bones of roof of mouth in fishes, behind the palatines.

Pubic bones. Same as pelvic bones.

Pubis. Anterior lower part of pelvis.

Pulmonary. Pertaining to the lungs.

Punctate. Dotted with points.

Pyloric ceca. Glandular appendages in the form of blind sacs opening
into the alimentary canal of most fishes at the pylorus or passage
from the stomach to the intestine.

Q.

Quadrate. Nearly square; a bone of the lower jaw in lower vertebrates.
Quill. One of the stiff feathers of the wing or tail of a bird.
Quincunx. Set of five arranged alternately, thus :-:

R.

Radius. Outer bone of forearm. ,
Ray. One of the cartilaginous rods which support the membrane of the

fin of a fish.

118 CHECK LIST OF THE

Rectrices. Quills of the tail of a bird.

Recurved. Curved upward.

Remiges. Quills of the wing of a bird.

Reticulate. Marked with a network of lines.
Retractile. Susceptible of being drawn inward, as a cat’s claw.
Retrorse. Turned backward.

Rachis. Shaft of a quill.

Rectal. Pertaining to the rectus, as rectal bristles.
Rectus. Gape of the mouth.

Rostral. Pertaining to the snout, as rostral plate.
Rudimentary. Undeveloped.

Ruff. A series of modified feathers.

Rugose. Rough, with wrinkles.

Ss.

Sacral. Pertaining to the sacrum, or vertebre of the pelvic region.

Saggitate. Shaped like an arrow head.

Saurognathous. Having the peculiar ‘‘lizard-like’’ structure of the palate
found in Woodpeckers.

Scansorialk. Capable of climbing.

Scansorial tail. Tail feathers sharp and stiff, as in the scansorial birds
(Woodpeckers).

Scapula. Shoulder blade; in fishes, the bone of the shoulder girdle below
the post-temporal.

Scapulars. Long feathers rising from the shoulders and covering the sides
of the back.

Scapular arch. Shoulder girdle.

Schizognathous. Split palate, as in the Heron and similar birds.

Scute. Any external bony or horny plate.

Scutellate. Provided with scutella; said of the tarsus when covered with
broad plates in a regular vertical series, and separated by regular
lines of impression.

Scutellum. One of the tarsal plates or scutella.

Secondaries. The quills growing on the forearm.

Secondary coverts. The wing feathers which cover the bases of the sec-
ondary quills.

Second dorsal. The posterior or soft part of the dorsal fin, when the two
parts are separated.

Sectorial tooth. One of the premolars of carnivora, adapted for cutting.

Semipalmate. Half-webbed; having the anterior toes more or less con-
nected at base by a webbing which does not extend to the claws.

Septum. A thin partition.

Serrate. Notched like a saw.

Sessile. Without a stem or peduncle.

FISH OF ONTARIO. 119

Setaceous. Bristly.

Setiform. Bristle-like.

Shaft. Stiff axis of a quill.

Shoulder girdle. The bony girdle posterior to the head, to which the
anterior limbs are attached (post-temporal, scapula, and coracoid
or clavicle).

Soft dorsal. The posterior part of the dorsal fin in fishes, when composed
of soft rays.

Soft rays. Fin rays which are articulate and usually branched.

Spatulate. Shaped like a spatula.

Speculum. A brightly coloured spot of the secondaries, especially of ducks.

Sphenoid. Basal bone of skull.

Sphenotic. A lateral bone of the skull.

Spine. Any sharp projecting point; in fishes those fin rays which are
unbranched, inarticulate, and usually, but not always, more or
less stiffened.

Spinous. Stiff or composed of spines.

Spinous dorsal. The anterior part of the dorsal fin, when composed of
spinous rays.

Spiracles. Openings in the head or neck of some fishes and Batrachians.

Spurious quill. Said of the first primary when less than about one-third
the length of the second. The student will notice that in Oscines
the presence of a short or spurious quill indicates ten primaries,
its absence nine.

Stellate. Star-like, with radiating ridges.

Sternal fontanel. A pit at the top of the sternum.

Sternum. The breast-bone.

Striate. Striped or streaked.

Sub (in composition). Less than; somewhat; not quite; under, etc.

Sub-caudal. Under the tail.

Sub-opercle. The bone immediately below the opercle (the suture con-
necting the two often hidden by scales).

Sub-orbital. Below the eye.

Sub-orbital stay. A bone extending from one of the sub-orbital bones in
certain fishes, across the cheeks, to or towards the preopercle.

Subulate. Awl-shaped.

Suffrago. Heel joint; joint of tibia and tarsus.

Supraciliary. Pertaining to the region of the eyebrow.

Supplemental maxillary. A small bone lying along upper edge of the
maxillary.

Supraclavicle. A bone interposed between the clavicle and the post-tem-

oral.

Suitacceipital The bone as the posterior part of skull in fishes usually
with a raised crest above.

Supra-oral. Above the mouth.

120 CHECK LIST OF THE

Supra-orbital. Above the eye.

Supra-scapula. The post-temporal or bone by which the shoulder girdle
in fishes is joined to the skull.

Suspensorium. The chain of bones from the hyomandibular to the fala-
tine.

Suspensory bones. Bones by which the lower jaw, in fishes, is fastened
to the skull.

Suture. The line of union of two bones, as in the skull.

Symphysis. Point of junction of the two parts of lower jaw; tip of chin.

Symplectic. The bone in fishes that keeps together they hyomandibular
and quadrate posteriorly.

Syndactyle. Having two toes immovably united for some distance, as in
the Kingfisher.

Synonym. A different word having the same or a similar meaning.

Synonomy. A collection of different names for the same group, species,
or thing.

18

Tail. In mammals, the vertebra, etc., posterior to the sacrum; in birds
the tail feathers or rectrices, taken collectively; in serpents, the
part of the body posterior to the vent; in fishes (usually) the part
of the body posterior to the anal fin.

Tail coverts. The small feathers overlapping the bases of the rectrices.

Tarso-metatarsus. The correct name of the so-called tarsus of birds; the
bone reaching from the tibia to the toes, composed chiefly of the
metatarsus, but having at its top one of the small tarsal bones
confluent with it.

Tarsus. The ankle bones collectively; in birds commonly used for the
shank bone, lying between the tibia and the toes, the tarso-meta-
tarsus.

Tectrices. The wing and tail coverts.

Temporal. Pertaining to the region of the temples.

Tenuirostral. Slender billed.

Terete. Cylindrical and tapering.

Terminal. At the end.

Tertials. The quills attached to the humerus.

Tessellated. Marked with little checks or squares, like mosaic work.

Thoracic. Pertaining to the chest; ventral fins are thoracic, when attached
immediately below the pectorals, as in the Perch, the pelvic bones
being fastened to the shoulder girdle.

Tibia. Shin-bone; inner bone of leg between knee and heel.

Tomium. Cutting edge of the bill.

Totipalmate. Having all four toes connected by webbing.

Tragus. The inner lobe of the ear; the lobe opposite the auricle.

Transverse. Crosswise.

FISH OF ONTARIO. 121

Trenchant. Compressed to a sharp edge.

Truncate. Abrupt, as if cut squarely off.

Tubercle. A small excrescence, like a pimple.

Tympanum. Drum of the ear; external in some Batrachia, etc.

Type (of a genus). The species upon which was based the genus to which
it belongs.

Type (of a species). The particular specimen upon which the original
specific description was based.

Type (locality). The particular place or locality at which the type speci-
men was collected.

Typical. Of a structure the most usual in a given group.

WU.

Ulna. The inner or posterior bone of the forearm.
Ultimate. Last or farthest.

Unguiculate. Provided with claws.

Ungulate. Provided with hoofs.

Unicolour. Of a single colour.

Urosteges. The plates underneath the tail of a serpent.

Vz

Vent. The external opening of the alimentary canal.

Ventral. Pertaining to the abdomen.

Ventral fins. The paired fins behind or below the pectoral fins in fishes
corresponding to the posterior limbs in the higher vertebrates.

Ventral plates. In serpents, the row of plates along the belly between
throat and vent.

Ventricle. One of the thick-walled chambers of the heart.

Versatile. Capable of being turned either way.

Vertebra. One of the bones of the spinal column.

Vertical. Up and down.

Vertical fins. The fins on the median line of the body; the dorsal, anal
and caudal fins.

Vertical plate. Central plate on the head of a serpent.

Villiform. Said of the teeth of fishes when slender and crowded into
velvety bands.

Viscous. Slimy.

Viviparous. Bringing forth living young.

Vomer. In fishes, the front part of the roof of the mouth; a bone lying
immediately behind the premaxillaries.

iS) 325

122 CHECK LIST OF THE FISH OF ONTARIO.

Ww.

Web. The vane of a feather, on either side of the rhacis, or ‘‘stem’’;
also the membrane connecting the toes.

X.

Xiphisternum. Tip of the sternum.

ZL:

Zygapophyses. Points of bone affording to the vertebra more or less
definite articulation with each other.

Zygodactyle. Yoke-toed; having the toes in pairs, two in front, two
behind.

Zygoma. The malar or cheek bone.

DEC - 7 1995

C
QL Nash, Charles William
626 Check list of the verte-
N27 brates of Ontario and catalogue

of specimens in the Biological
Section of the Provincial
Museum

Forestry

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