Author: Pennsylvania State Commissioners of Fisheries

Title: Report of the State Commissioners of Fisheries for
the year...

Place of Publication: Harrisburg

Copyright Date: 1879/1880

Master Negative Storage Number: IVINS# PSt SNPaAg235.2

1 879/1 880

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REPORT

OF THE

I fills,

FOB

THE YEARS 1879 AND 1880.

HARRISBURG:

LANE 8. HART, STATE PRINTER.
1881.

Legislative Doccment.

[No. 20.

L

REPORT

OF THE

State Commissioners of Fisheries, .

FOR THE YEARS 1879 AND 1880.

10

Office State Commissioners of Fisheries,
Harrisburo, February 15, 1881.

Sir : The State Commissioners of Fisheries have the honor to submit
the following report of operations during the years 1879 and 1880.

FISHWATS.

Having been authorized to extend the experiment of fish ways in the
Columbia dam, an advertisement was published in the Harrisburg papers
calling for plans and proposals to be submitted on June 28, 1879. On
the day named several plans were submitted, but as without something
like an actual experimental model, but a slender judgment could be formed
as to the efficiency of the plan proposed. It was decided that the (kcision
should be put off, and models should be tried in the water. A dam was
ordered to be erected in Paxtang or Paxton creek, at Harrisburg, and
July 3, 1879, fixed for the trial.

On that day a dam was ready for the competitors, in which there were
placed four (4) models, being those of H. S. Dimm, of Newport ; S. M.
Gross, of Shamokin Uam ; G. S. Burr, of Lewisburg. and Krausc & Up-
degrove, of Harrisburg. Mr. G. W. Parsons placed a dam tor himself in
which he showed his model, and Mr. Peter Fraley, of Columbia, availed
himself of the same dam. Mr. J. Grup, of Columbia, showed his model
below Mr. Parson's dam. The commissioners met on the ground exactly
at noon of the 3d of July, and all examined carefully the models and sat-
isfied themselves as to their manner of working.

They did not, however, feel authorized in adopting any plan until a dis-
cussion could be had with the owners of the Columbia dam or their repre-
sentatives on the work itself, where they could choose the location and
arrange for the admission of a fishway into the structure.
1 Fish Rep.

2

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

[No. 20,

The 10th of July was fixed for the meeting on the dam, and on that
day they accordingly met, when several of the competitors also appeared, ^
as also the engineer and counsel of the company, (Philadelphia and Read-
ing Railroad Company.)

No submitted plan was agreed to, although the plan agreed to is a modi-
fication of a plan submitted by Mr. Whitney, C. E., formerly of Harrisburg,
but now of Union or Snyder counties, Pennsylvania.

It is simply an opening in the dam one hundred and twenty-five feet wide
at the face of the dam — the dam itself turning two L"s up stream and con-
verging to within forty feet of each other, and being parallel at that width
for about forty feet. At the inlet, however, the water is shoaled by a plat-
form to the depth of five feet, which platform extends down stream about
forty feet, where its level is about four feet above the smooth, rocky bot-
tom of the river. This plan was cliosen because it came nearest to the form
of a break in the dam, and breaks appear to have been the most successful
fish ways known up to this time.

The work was offered to bidders on the 22d of July, and on that day, of
ten bids, that of Mr. David Mitchell, of Perry county, proving the lowest,
it was accepted, and the fish-way prosecuted to completion as described.

The work was finished, and the season of shad fishing came round. The
work was not disturbed by the ice in the winter of 1879-80, and it was
hoped that the fishway would prove a complete success. As time advanced
drawbacks showed themselves. The dam does not lie exactly at right an-
gles to the current of the Susquehanna, so that in passing throjigh the fish-
way the water sagged, as it were, somewhat to the left side. The shoaling
platform extended sojne 40 feet down stream from the mouth of the fish-
way. It was Iniilt very strongly and well protected.

In front of it was deposited the debris from the old coffer dams, con-
sisting of cinder, and this was covered by a pavement of solid stones, none
weighing less than one hundred pounds and many being heavier. The
oblicpie course of the water disturbed this and produced considerable re-
action, which in low water presented an obstacle to the upward passage of
the fish. This stage of the water continued through the whole season, and
thus no doubt decreased the number of fish passing upwards. In addition
to that, the low water permitted the working of seines on the very floor of
the fishway, which circumstance was taken advantage of by the lawless
fishermen 1)elow the dam, who defied the State authorities placed to watch
the fish-way, and on one occasion destroyed the State boat and ill-treated
its crew. The Lancaster authorities were applied to for a remedy and as-
sistance against this lawlessness, but the State police were informed that
thev had their remedv alreadv — that of any citizen for assault and l)attery.

Against numerous bands of men united together, tar outnuml)ering the
State police, this was an ineffective defense. So there was notliing left for
the police to do than to fasten illegal acts upon individuals of these bands,
which plan was prosecuted through the season, and at the end of the season

Leo. Doc] State Commissioners of Fisheries. 3

the law was vindicated by the imprisonment and fining of some half dozen
or more delinquents, thereby teaching these persons a lesson that they will,

perhaps, not soon forget.

The illegal fishing in and in front of the fish-way continued on during
the run of^shad, and no doubt many fish were thus prevented from even
trying our fishv/ay. Notwithstanding all this, however, large numbers of
sliad i)assed up. At an island, some few miles above the dam, a catch of
one thousand five hundred was made, and at the other batteries between
Columbia and Juniata the catch was quite respectable, reaching at the main
batteries to some five thousand, and at the smaller ones not heard from
perhaps fifty per cent. more. This estimate is certainly Avithin the truth.

The occasion of the police being in the neighborhood of the dam was em-
braced for the purpose of ascertaining the number of fishing operations
which were in full activity below the dam for the last season. The result
is as follows :

Statement of the Number of Fisheries in Full Operation Below the Co-
lumbia Dam in the Season of 1880:

Ntimber

of Fisheries.

1. From Columbia to Turkey Hill, (first five miles), . ... 48

2. From Turkey Hill to Maryland State Line twenty miles,

100 scoop net operations in the same distance 100

3. From State Line to Havre-de-Grace, nineteen miles, ... 100

4. From Port Deposit to the Cheapeake Bay, 250 gill net boats,

employing about 500 nets from 150 to 400 yards long,
each, (from five to ten miles,) 250

The catch of shad from Columbia Dam to Turkey Hill (within

the first five miles), in 1879, numbered, ..... 32,000

The catch for the same locality in 1880, reached, .... 47,000

The above facts were ascertained on the ground by a special and re-
liable messenger.

The inhibite<l half mile below the dam might have furnished a consider-
able quota to the above showmg, but that was lawless fishing, and an ac-
curate report could not be obtained. It is hoped that the measures pur-
sued last year will help at least to clear the half mile of predatory fishing.

After such an exhibit as the above what can be expected for the people
of tiie upper waters of the Susquehanna? It is a wonder that any shad
are causrht above the Columbia dam at all. A mere inspection of the table
is suillcient, without argument, to show how completely the river is cleared
of miirrat )rv fishes before the dam is reached by them.

It occurred to the board that an agreed upon ''close time," as it is called,
below the dam, might give the up river people some slight ch mce, and ac-
cordinjrlv a letter was addressed to the Maryland commissioners suggest-
ing that shad fishing should be made free to all comers on the Mondays,

State Commissioners op Fisheries.

[No. 20,

Wednesdays, and Fridays in each week of the season, making the balance
of the week a ''close time" in which fishing by all parties shall be pro-
hibited.

Common fairness to the up river inhabitants claims some arrangement
of this kind. A monopoly of the Susquehanna fishing should scarcely be
allowed to one State when the river passes through territory belonging to
three States, and the riparians of the first fifteen miles of a stream, with a
thousand miles of coast, should scarcely be granted the whole usufruct of
the river. But, besides, this is destructive of the fishery itself or of its
utilities. These anadromous fishes instinctively seek the upper waters to
increase and multiply, and, if taken on their way, how can an increase pos-
sibly result ? Year by year the crop must suffer until at last the fish for-
sake the stream forever.

The reply of the Maryland commission is as follows, from which it will
be seen that the Maryland Legislature, in the first place, does not meet
until 1882, and in the next place, that the Maryland board considers the
close time proposed by us impricticable, suggesting, however, a shorter
one that the chairman or representative of the Maryland board would him-
self advocate. . .

The sul)ject, however, should not be dismissed summarily ; it is too im-
portant not to have the fullest consideration.

Pennsylvania is riparian to the Susquehanna for many hundred miles,
and shad, it is believed, have been taken beyond her bounds and within
those of the State of New York. If it be possible to restore this grand
micrrating triV.e to its ancient home, no slight sacrifice should be made m
order to bring about that important result to the people. The (piestion
cannot be settled in an off hand way ; it is one which may attain federal
importance before it shall be finally closed.

Of all ways of settling the matter fairly the '^ close time " method seems
to be the best, and were that considered equitably no doubt it could be
finally arranged. It cannot, however, be further pursued until the next
meetino- of the Maryland Legislature, nor closed until the next meeting of

our own.

Washington, D. C, January 5, 1881.

James Worrall, Esq.,

Actuary State Board Commiasioners of Fiifheries, Harrisburg, Penn-
sylvania.

Dear Sir: Yours of the 27th of December has been received, and 1 have
car'jfully noted the suggestions of the fishery board in reference to con-
current'legislation on the part of Maryland and Pennsylvania. No legis-
hition can be had by the State of Marylaiitl for some time to come, as the
Legislature will not meet until January, 1882.

I think it will be impossible to secure so much close time during the
fishing season as your board suggests, and it would be exceedingly dilli-
cult to enforce the law, even if such an act could be passed. 1 would be

Leg. Doc]

State Commissioners op Fisberies.

very glad to urge a close time from Friday night to Monday morning dur-
ing thp fishing season, and total cessation of fishing on the 10th of June.
I think with such close time and with extensive artificial propagation the
fish can be made sufficiently abundant. The conditions, however, of the
fisheries higher up the river are very different from those within the limits
of Maryland, and I would not pretend to criticise the suggestions of the
Board as to the greater number of close days during the fishing season.

Yery truly yours,

T. B. Ferguson.
Of Maryland Commission of Fisheries.

The derangement produced upon the apron in front of the platform at
the bottom of the fish-way was repaired during the autumn months, and it
is hoped that the current' through it will be somewhat smoother than it was
last season. And further, that the average flow of water may be somewhat
increased during the coming season, a matter that has proved itself of great

importance.

If, however, the ice of this unusually severe winter goes ofl suddenly, the
Columbia dam and the fish-way itself will be jeoparded. An ice flood,
with the ice at its present thickness, is simply irresistible by any work of
man; but the Columbia dam is especially obnoxious to such danger. It is
much lonirer than the stream is wide, on the average, and invites the ice to
ground upon it. Then when the ice has so grounded, and being raised in
height to a score of feet, what work can stand the grinding operation of its
first movement ? If, however, the thaw should prove gradual, all may yet
be well. We await the event with some anxiety. The ice has since gone
off and disturi:ed the apron so that the current through appears quite
rough, but an average full flow of water through the shad season may still
work favorable results.

FISH BASKETS.

These pests of our fisheries we have alluded to again and again and there
need hardly l)e more said on the sulvject. They were abolished by the
people of England ri et armis as early as in the reign of King John, the
period of magna charta, and in that instrument are forbidden. Surely
they ouuht no longer to exist here and amongst us. No law can be too
summary in its action against them ; they are unfair in every respect, but
especially are they destructive of our anadromous fishes. For one fish
that they take for the market, tliey may destroy a thousand, of which each
indvidual might have proved to be more valual)le than the single catch.

The fish baskets must, therefore, be put down, and surely the law is
powerful enough to etiect that object.

THE FISHING STREAMS OF PENHSYLVANIA.

In the ai)pendix to this report will be found a circidar addressed chiefly
to members of the last Legislature on the subject of the fishing streams of

6

State Commissioners op Fishebies.

[No. 20,

the State. The circular is given and the replies are tabulated, showing, or
at least suggesting, what can be done if the propagation movement be
taken up by the people themselves. As far as this movement has gone it
has amply repaid the State for the outlay made, the repayment being in the
form of valuable food fishes, at so much per pound, taking the place of
other food which must necessarily have cost in money in exact proportion
to its value as nourishment for the people.

In the same appendix will also be found the distributions made from the
eastern and western hatching-houses during the past season and since our
last report. It will be seen that the work goes on faithfully, and that our
game and food fishing resources are being added to day by day. These
establishments are described as follows :

THE EASTERN STATE HATCHING-HOUSE.

The State has two hatching-houses, the eastern one located about two
miles from Marietta, in Lancaster county, on Hoover's spring, one of the
group of the famous Donegal springs, the water rarely varying more than
two degrees in temperature during the entire year. We give an exterior
and interior view. The present hatching capacity of the house is nearly
one million of eggs, which can be increased considerably if found necessary
to do so. The house is one hundred feet in length by tliirty-two feet in
width. Tlie water is conducted into the house through a six-inch iron
pipe. After entering the house it flows through a distributing trough,
runuing the entire length of the building, and is cleansed by a number of
flannel screens, placed at intervals through the boxes. The hatching
troughs are placed at right angles to the supply trough, from which they
are fed by means of iron spigots an inch in diameter. There are seventeen
of these hatching troughs, about eighteen feet in length and fifteen inches
in wi<lth. The troughs stand in pairs, so that the workmen can easily over-
look them by passing on each side through a passage-way left for that pur-
•pose. These troughs are raised about two feet from the floor, so that a
person sitting upon a stool can readily examine the condition of the ova
when they are hatching. The lower end of the troughs are an incli below
that of the upper end. This gives a gentle current to the water which
tlows throuirh them.

THE WESTERN STATE HATCHINO-HOtTSE.

Through the liberality of the Legislature, in addition to the eastern
hatchery, a second one was established west of the Allegheny mountains in
1870. Alter careful investigation of all leading springs west of the mount-
ains the present site near Corrv, Krie county, was selected as allording
the best facilities for fish culture. The i)lace consists of nine acres and a
half of land at the terminus of Smith street, leading from Corry ; having
thereon erected a good and comi>lete dwelling-house, and one of the best

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Leg. Doc]

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

niodeiTi hatching establishments, consisting of twelve to fifteen springs
furnishing abundance of water to run two such houses. These are so con-
nected together by subterranean pipes and surface conduits as to form
any number, almost, of ponds. The hatching-house is sixty feet long by
thirty in width, containing troughs as described in the eastern house, but
better adapted to the purpose on account of the magnificent supply of
water of the most uniform flow and temperature. With these facilities for
fish culture the amount of fry that can be turned out, at comparatively
small expense, is surprising. Our establishments compare favorably with
the best of those of any State in the Union.

We proceed to treat of the different food fishes which have been and
may be introduced into the waters of Pennsylvania, and which cannot
prove but of interest to the people. This description of ours will be sup-
plemented in the appendix by the fullest treatment of the icthyology of
Pennsylvania it has yet received at the hands of any writer. It will be
found to surpass any paper of the kind extant. It is from the pen of Prof.
E. D. Cope of Philadelphia, whose very name is a guarantee of its reliable
character, as will be seen further on.

SEA SALMON. (Salmo Salar.)

We have done much in endeavoring to introduce the sea salmon into
our waters — a fish much more valuable than tlie shad — (me of the species
for which the (Jovernment paid five millions of dollars for the privilege of
taking along our northern coast. This valualde fish has appeared in the
Delaware and lower Susciuohanna, in reward of our exertions — more especi-
ally in the Delaware, on account of the removal of the fish baskets and
greater dispositiim to enforce and regard laws of protection, Xew Jersey
promptly joining in the good work. Our Maryland neighbors, we regret
to say, are not so willing to make reciprocal legislation, and we attrib-
ute the existence of innumerable fish baskets in the lower Susquehanna
as retarding our efforts very much in the introduction of this fish. Kng-
land destroyed fish baskets five hundred years ago, and regarded them as
common nuisances ; and we must copy after advanced civilization if we
desire the success of migratory fishes in our rivers. The catch in the
Delaware is on the increase and we hope for increased numbers in the Sus-
quehanna. It will be hard to estimate the addition these fish in abund-
ance will make to our fisheries. We intend distributing largely next spring
of fish and fry in the upper waters of the Delaware, Susquehanna and their
tributaries.

The commission were not so hopefid in their eft'ort for the introduction
of the Maine salmon on account of its habitat being confined to the coldest
waters, and more attentiim was paid to the distribution and introduction
of the Scilmon of the Pacific slope which ascended waters similar in tem-
perature to our own. However, contrary to expectation, the Salmo Salnr
are caught in the Delaware in considerable numbers, ranging as high as

8

State Commissionebs op Fisheries.

[No. 20,

twenty-five pounds, and since our last report one weighing nineteen pounds
was caught by Mr. Frank Farr, a giller, near Havre-de-Grace, on the 11th
of May, 1879. "The fish was a female, measuring three feet four and a
half inches, and weighing about seventeen pounds, fresh run from the sea."
The fish was captured off Spesutu island, having been entangled in the gill
net, which was much torn, and Mr. Farr, who captured it, is confident that
at least one other fish accompanied the one taken, but made its escape."
The fish was secured bv Professor J. W. Miener, and sent to the Smith-
sonian Institution, where a plaster cast was made, and the fish is now on
exhibition at the National Museum, preserved in alcohol." We are in-
debted to the commissioner's report of Maryland for the above details.
We are indebted for the introduction for the first time into the Dela-
ware of the Maine salmon to the late Thaddeus Norris, Howard J. Reeder,
and Mr. George W. Stout, who, in April, 1872, obtained twelve thousand
eggs from Xew Castle, Ontario, and successfully hatched them out and
distributed them that year and the following year (1873) in a large spring
by the Bushkill. The following detailed statement contained in a former
report we thought worth preserving and reproducing :

SALMON IN THE BUSHKIIL-THE YOTTNG FISH PROPAGATED HEAED FROM-THEIE

ESTABLISHMENT IN OUR RIVERS A FACT.

We referred briefly yesterday to a salmon being captured in the Bush-
kill, and have since verified the report.

The fish was discovered in Groetzinger's mill race, on the Bushkill, at
the foot of Fourth street, and its unusual size immediately attracted the
attention of a num])er of people, who resorted to various devices for its
capture. Hooks and lines were used, and it was hooked, but broke loose.
It was also shot with bird shot. This did not kill it. It was finally shot
with a rifle by a young man named James Young, the bullet passing into
its body and stomach just nt the junction of tlie head and body, and the
strange fish was secured. Mr. Young presented his prize to his uncle, Mr.
J. E. Stair, and it was very generally believed to be a salmon, Mr. Stair
appreciating its important bearing on certain mooted points of the history
and habits of this fish, and in the interest of fish culture thoughtfully
placed it at the disposal of Fish Commissioner Howard .1. Beeder.

The point at issue with scientific men, referring to salmon, is whether
this fish placed in rivers as far south as the Delaware and Susquehunua
will, with the instinct of their class, return to the grounds where they were
hatched, and as nothing but experiment will prove this, the importance of
all evidence bearing upon the controversy will be realized. At different
times during the past four years a great many thousand salmon eggs and
salmon fry have been deposited in the Bushkill and Delaware rivers, under
the supervision of Commissioner lleeder, and at various times reports
have been circulated of salmon of considerable size being caught at Bor-
dentown, Trenton, Carpenter's Point, and other points on the Delaware,

Leo. Doc]

State Commissioners op Fisheries.

9

ranging from five to eight pounds weight ; but, unfortunately, these have
fallen into hands that did not perceive anything in the fact beyond the table,
and their evidence was lost to the scientific world. But this fish is a fact,
and in ofllcial hands will be irrefutable evidence that the stocking of our
rivers with the most valuable fish in the world is not visionary, but prac-
ticable.

Its further significance will be that it will stimulate legislation to foster
and advance our fish interests by more substantial aid and encouragsment
to our fish commission than has heretofore been given to it.

The fish in question is a fine specimen. It is female, and its dimensions
and description are as follows, viz :

Total length, .S2 inches ; length of head, 6;^ inches ; girth at dorsal fin,
16 inches; caudal, when expanded, 9 inches.

Form, an elongated ellipse, greatest breadth in front of dorsal ; bron-
chial rays, 12.

Fin rays as follows : Pectoral, 13 ; ventral, 9 ; anal, 9 ; dorsal, 12 ; cau-
dal, 18.

Color (after being out of the water nine hours,) black greenish blue ;
sides, silver gray ; belly, white marked b}' black irregular spots like an x
or the club spot on cards, with smaller reddish spots shaped along the back
and above the lateral line.

Teeth incurved, a line on each side of the upper jaw, and an inner line
on the palatine, two rows on the tongue, and one row on the outer edge of
lower jaw bone.

It has besides the second dorsal adipose fin, the peculiar and exclusive
characteristic of the salmon family.

The description answers the Salmo Salar^ or by far the most important
of the three families of these fish. It is superior in commercial importance
and flavor to any other fresh water fish. It is the salmon of Europe, and
of our northeni and British American waters. It is, too, the largest species
of the penus, and has been known to attain the weight of eiglity-three
pounds, but owing to the eagerness with which the fisheries are prosecuted
they are not suffered to exceed weights ranging from ten to thirty pounds.
Their season for spawning is the late autumn and winter, October, and
later, and this, unquestionably, was the mission of this salmon.

The female is accompanied by the male, and they together excavate a
furrowed nest, six to nine inches deep, in a gravel bed, in which to deposit
the eggs, relieving each other in the work, which is laborious and exhaust-
ive. This will explain why this salmon allowed itself to be hooked, shot
at, and disturbed without eflbrt at escape. It was merely too weak to thus
protect itself

Some have thought that it would be impossible for a fish to attain the
size of this one in the short time since they were propagated. But inves-
tigation has proved that salmon remain in the stream where they hatch,

10

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

[No. 20,

some a year, some two, or even three years as smolt, according as they
hatch, early or late, before they go to the sea.

During their stay in the sea they grow with amazing rapidity, gaining
from two to five and more pounds in from five to eight weeks, as shown
by careful and repeated experiments. An instance is recorded by the Duke
of Athole, who took a salmon from the Tay after it had deposited its eggs.
Its weight was ten pounds. He marked it by attaching a metal label to
it, and the same fish, with its metal label, was caught after an absence of
five weeks and three days. Its weight was then twenty-one pounds.

Though they aie the most voracious feeders among the fish tribe, their
stomachs, when opened, are rarely found to contain food, which shows a
remarkable suddenness or digestion and assimilation of food, and an envi-
able freedom from dyspeptic tendency.

This salmon, undoubtedly, weighed several pounds more before it began
with its spawning duties, for though not emaciated, it is not plump or filled

out.

Let these fish be taken in the Delaware, in numbers equal to the take of
shad at the present time, and the yearly money value capitalized, would
come to millions of dollars.

They stand now in the very first rank of apician or epicurean delicacies,
and command a very high price per pound in the New York market.
What, then, would several hundred thousand of these, weighing from live
to fitty pounds, be worth annually to the States of Pennsylvania and New
Jersey ?

CAUrOEHIA SALMON— (-Sa^no Quinnat.)
This valuable fish, inhabiting the waters of California, comparing in depth
and temperature with the rivers of the middle States, and nearly allied in
climatic infiuences, it was thought and confidently expected, would be
equally certain to find a new habitat in our waters with the Salmo Salar.
As yet our expectations are not realized, and the north-eastern salmon
bids fair to outstrip his western brother.

True, we hear of many, very many strange fish, bearing a resen)blance
to the trout family, belonging, indeed, to the Salmoides, having been taken
by individuals, both in the Delaware and In the Susquehanna. But never
has any one of these been submitted to the judgment of an expert to as-
ctMtain its true fraternity. The specimens have mostly been taken by per-
sons who feared it was against the law to have them in possession even,
and they have either V)een thrown back, or disposed of surreptitiously or
furtivelV. So that although there is every probability of returns of the
California tribe, (Salmo Quinnat,) yet there is no such certainty as to au-
tliorize an oHicial assertion of the fact.

But now may not the element of time l)e an important function in rela-
tion to this subject.

The earliest deposit was made in 1870, and it was a small deposit, less
in numbers, ])robably, than two thousand. Again, the number of adults,

Leg. Doc]

State Commissioners op Fisheries.

11

weighing eight or nine pounds, taken is comparative small, six or eight
at the utmost, as if they came from a small deposit, so that there is a re-
mote probability that these adults were the result ol the deposit of 1870,
which, if it be true, shows that the return of the deposit of the fry of the
Salmo Salar requires a period of seven or eight years. Now the second
deposit of Salmo Salar was made in 1873, and if seven or eight years be
the period, we shall not see returns from that deposit until 1880 or 18S1.

But the first deposit of the California salmon, (Salmo Quinnat.) pro-
cured from the United States Government, for the Pennsylvania rivers, and
placed by Doctor Slack, commissioner for New Jersey, was, in 1873, and
if the Salmo Salar matured in 1877, be from the deposit of 1870, then we
are not to expect the return of the adults of the Salmo Quinnat until '880
or 1881. Some five thousand S. Quinnat were put into the Delaware, near
Easton, in the spring of 1873, and a similar number, perhaps six thousand,
were placed in the Susquehanna, at Harrisburg, at the same time, being
the avails of some fifteen thousand, the first importation from California,
presented by Professor Baird, United States Commissioner, to the Middle
States, or at least to the rivers watering them, say the Delaware and the
Susquehanna, the number being small and these streams being nearer like
those of the natural habitat of these fish than any other in the Union.

If these suppositions be correct, then we have a year or two years' time
left in which we may still look for the return of the first deposits of Salmo
Quinnat, and further, if they be correct, and we take a few S. Quinnat
between now and 1881, we may then look annually for much larger returns
of tlie same fish. For ever since the first deposit was made, botli Pennsyl-
vania and New Jersey, supplied by the United States Commissiojicr, have
added yearly, to a very large entent, to the deposits in the two great rivers
mentioned.

There is force given to these suppositions from the fact that the States
north and east of us have been supplied with these fish by tlie Tnited
States Commissioner, and the commissioners of these States h ive simi-
larly and as regularly deposited them in their water courses, but as yet,
cannot report better success than we of Pennsylvania and New Jersey can
do.

If the adults of 1877 be from the deposit of 1870, then seven years at
least is the period. If they be from that of 1873, tJien four or live years
is the period. But New York and the New England States hi.ve been
equally expectant of returns with ourselves, and as yet they cannot feel
sure that any returns have occurred.

Tije deposits of the year 1874, ought to be heard from now, if fonr years
be the period, hut as there are none heard from for certain, then is it not
to he presumed that the longer i)eriod is the rule ? And if it be, why there
is time enough yet- for us to look towards the fruition of the plant.

There seems from these circumstances to be a very strong probability
of the longer period, and as has before been mentioned, the streams of the
Middle States are much lAore like the California rivers than they are like

IS

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

[No. 20,

the Maine and Neva Scotia rivers, there is a much strons^er o priori proba-
bility of the success of the California salmon than there was of the Bucks-
port or Kennebec species. But the latter have proved a success. AVhj',
therefore, should not the former also prove a success ?

We have given some space to this subject, but it was, and is, worthy of
it. If this be the beginning of the habitat of the Salmo Salar and Salmo
Quinnat in our waters, it is a point almost, it may be called an era in the
history of I*ennsylvania, the event ranking as an accretion to the valuable
animal productions of our State, with the discovery of anthracite or of
petroleum as mineral addition to her productions.

(xreen and Rosevelt, in their recent admirable work on this subject, say :
'' It is hardly to be supposed that the operations of the United States
commission in collecting the eggs of the California salmon can be long
continued. Either the McCloud river will be exhausted by the excessive
drain upcm it or the commission will be satisfied with the results of the ex-
periment. It was probably not intended to establish the operation as a
permanent undertaking. J]nough salmon have been sent to the eastern
States to fairly test the question whether their streams are adapted to the
residences of these fish, and if success ensues, the ettbrts of the commis-
sion will be more than rewarded, while if failure shall occur there will be
no reason for further drafts upon waters in which Salmo Quinnat has his
natural home."

LAND-LOCKED SALMON {Safmo Salnr Sehago.)

Our experience in th? introduction of this valuable fish is of a limited
character. Experiments rather tend to demonstrate that this variety of
the salmon family can endure warmer waters than any oih.er. as our list
of distribution will exhibit. AVe placed several thousand in Harvey's
Lake, in Luzerne county, and Mr. II. S. Butter reports their adaptation
and doing well, his observation, however, being confined to the stream that
feeds the pond, not being able to watch their growth in the main lake, the
expanse of water being so great tiiat the utmost care would have to be ob-
served to discover them, until they shall have become sufl'iciently numer-
ous to be caught. The plant, however, may safely be considered as certain
to be fruitful. We h ive in our State a limited number ol places suitable
to this fish, more particularly found in the north and north-eastern portion.
The mean mountain lakes, such as Ilarvcv's lake, the lakes near Minneipia,
Conneaut and tlse numerous lakes of the kind which are scattered over
Wayne county. The fish may also possibly thrive in the upper branches
of our streams. In those sequestered regions improvements can be made,
and individuals and clul>s will soon establish summer resorts, where, with
the rod, line, and gun they can while away the warm summer season.
With the large distribution of l»rook trout going on in the mountain tribu-
taries, these, with the beautiful lakes, will teem with the finny tribes; the
groves and the woods furnish abundance of game, and these hitherto for-

Leg. Doc] State Commissioners of Fisheries. 13

saken localities, will be peopled during the summer with the denizens-
rich and poor alike enjoying cheap transportation and recruitmg health
which hard work of the rest of the year has impaired. The whole salmon
family attract true sportsmen's attention ; voyages of thousands of miles
are made in the old country for the purpose of finding them in abundance,
ready to leap at the fly. The little school we placed in Harvey's lake, we
hope the beginning of a plentiful supply of this valuable fish.

THE COMMON EEL, {Anguilla Acutirostris.)

Less attention has been paid to this slippery customer than, perhaps, to
any other inland fish inhabiting the wateis of the State. Yet our pigeon
holes are filled with letters of inquiry as to why he is not protected as other
fish ^ What are his habits ? Parentage ? Where does he belong ? How
propagated, &c. Packard says : " The common eel occurs on both sides of
the Atlantic, on the North American coast, as far south as Cape Ilatteras,
and in inland rivers and lakes. The sexes do not differ externally and inter-
nally,only as regards the form of the reproductive glands. The ovaries form
the ribbon-like masses extending from the liver to just beyond the vent, and
attached by one edge to the walls of the body, with the free edge hanging
downwards. When in spawn the ovary is very thick, white, and the eggs
can be seen with the naked eye, being nearly one half millimeter in diame-
ter When ripe they break through the wall of the gland and drop into
belly-cavity, there being no oviduct, and pass out of the genital opening
situated directlv behind the vent. The male glands occupy the same posi-
tion as the ovaries of the female, but are smaller, narrower, and distinctly
tabulated. Out of about six hundred specimens of eels, only four males
have yet been foun<l in this country. These had testes like those described
by Syrske in the Italian eel, (A. Vulgaris,) while Packard detected the
mother sells, and Mr. Kingsly observed moving, active spermatozoa. It is
probable that the eel descends rivers in October and November, spawning
in the autumn and early winter at the mouth of rivers, and in harbors and
estuaries in shallow water. By the end of spring the young eels are two or
three inches long, and then ascend rivers and streams. They grow about
an inch a montlC and the females do not spawn at least before the second
year, i. e. when about twenty inches long. Mr. Mather estimates that the
ovary of an eel weighing six pounds when in spawn, contains upwards of

9,000,000 eggs."

In addition to the above high authority, we append the article included
in our last report, being, unable to present anything later upon this inter-
esting fish.

To the inland fisherman these are questions of interest and significance,
as the eel is, undoubtedly, a great favorite with the people, and deserving
of more than a i)as8ing notice.

Eels are natives both of fresh and salt water, those living in fresh water,
the Anyuilla Acutirostris. being found in many parts of the United States,

14

State Commissioners or Fisheries.

[No. 20,

their snake-like form diminishing their attractiveness as an article of food
and contributing much to the sport of taking and securing them even after
being " well in hand," as the anglers have it.

They flourish in bogs, marshes, and in peat bottoms, spawn in the sea,
and ascend the rivers in the spring by millions. The fishermen of the in-
land streams catch large numbers of them on their annual return to the
salt water, by means of set fish baskets, called also eel weirs, so extremely
destructive of other fish, especially 3'oung shad. They usually return be-
tween October and December, inclusive, but it is thought not until they
have passed several years in the fresh water. For the catch in the fall ^' run
down" scarcely ever includes small eels, although in the spring millions are
found not thicker and some much less than pipe-stems.

Unlike the shad or salmon, which leave the salt for the fresh water for
the purpose of spawning, they reverse the movement, and seek the sea at
the si)awning period.

In Europe, they are highly esteemed, considered, indeed, a luxury, ijnd
preferred by many to the angler's pride— the trout.

This is especially so in Italy and Germany, where their cultivation is
made a source of considerable revenue and profit. They are not what some
fastidious persons consider them, simply mud scavengers, ugly and repul-
sive cannibals, but fully meet the wants of the masses as a food fish, i)os.
sessing a solidity of flesh and a delicacy of flavor surpassed by few varie-
ties.

Being a bottom fish, the peculiar odor and strong taste noticed by some
are attributed to that fact, but if any "anti" eeler will take the trouble to
extract the back bone before cooking, he will find that it makes a wonderful
ditference, as the marrow of the spine is, without doubt, the true cause of
these objectionable savors, and when it is withdrawn, the eel becomes a
delicacy fit for an^- palate.

They are excellent feeders, taking fish, flesh, or refuse, they have been
called " hogs of the ocean," and like their brethren of similar reputation
on the land, are useful to man in proportion to their ill repute. Tlieir hab-
its have not been studied with the care bestowed on those of otlicr fi^h, but
their importance, as an article of food, is at last receiving that dc-gree of
attention which it justly demands.

Anatomically considered, they are peculiarly well adapted for mi«rratory
l)urposes, ascending dams with little difiiculty, and when the water course
is absolutely obstructed they will pass over the dry land for quite consid-
erable distances, living out of water remarkably well. '' Tlieir gills or
breathing organs are covered by a most delicate cushion, which acts as a
valve and forms a reservoir, enabling them to take in a portion of water,
and thus keep the gills moist during the period in which they are on dry
land, preventing the gills from adhering together and stifling tliem." An-
other peculiarity is that an eel has a heart in its tail, a caudal heart, which,
when he is dying, but not before, exhibits a pulsation of about ninety-five

Leg. Doc] State Commissioners op Fjsheries. 15

beats to the minute, and which can be distinctly seen by the aid of the mi-

croscope. , « -^

The fiesh of the eel is salted, smoked, and pickled, and forms quite an
article of trade, and must, some time in the future, supply a large amount
of cheap food for the masses.

In the United States, there being such a large area of marshy ground,
now worse than useless, along the eastern coast, were this cultivated for
production of eels, it might be made extremely profitable.

The question of his propagation is not a new one, having perplexed the
minds of zoologists from the days of Aristotle, (the greatest naturalist of
antiquity ) down to the present time, some held that the female reproduced
her species without the aid of the male, while others maintained that a cer-
tain deposit of a fatty formation, found in the female along side of the ova-
ries were the male organs, constituting the eel a hermaphrodite. A few,
however, have alleged that there are male and female eels, having each
their natural organs of reproduction and fecundation, which view is about
beincr adopted as conclusively settled. Doctor Syrske's laborious re-
searches and investigations, with powerful microscopes, published in the
United States reports, we think satisfactorily show the latter view to be
well taken, and successfullv prove the actual existence and presence of the
spermatic organs in a male eel. That the ovaries exist in the female, has
been an accepted fact for centuries, although it took two thousand years to
find it out, and, as stated by Doctor Syrske, " the spermatic organs being
so much smaller, it was so much more difficult to discover them. The
spermatic organs, two in number, are ribbon shaped, with leaflets on their
outer face, with transverse folds extending on each side of the alimentary
tube. The spermatic organs in the male are not ribbon shaped like the
ovaries, but are two longitudinal rows, each with lobules, and found in eels
of certain advanced sizes, these organs being distinguished fVom the ovaries
by their lobular form, shining, glassy appearance, smoothness without leaf-
le'ts, and much greater density of tissue. He also states, as the result of
his latest investigations of the two hundred and fifty-eight eels examined,
that the females and males were about in even proportion.

It will be seen, therefore, that, practically, the vexed question may be
considered as settled, and ordinary fishermen will no longer wonder why
they could never discover any spawn. There is still, however, some uncer-
tainty as to the locale in which the spawning of the eel takes place, and as
to other of its habits. Mr. R. B. Roosevelt, president of the American
Fish Culturists' Association, excellent authority, takes the ground, after a
series of careful experiments, that eels spawn in fresh water in the spring.
However this may be, we are inclined to believe the carefully prepared mi-
croscopic investigation of Doctor Syrske, alluded to, as settling the ques-
tion as to their organs of reproduction. Perhaps, after all, the absolute
truth on these subjects, is not yet arrived at, nor need we wonder, seeing
that mvstery having hung about the habits of this extremely interesting

16

State Commissioners op Fishebies.

[No. 20,

fish, as we have remarked, for more than two thousand years, it would not
be in the least surprising if that mystery were to continue for half a cen-
tury or so longer. Though it is to be hoped that the keen inquirers of the
period will not continue to be baffled like their predecessors, but will un-
ravel the diflicult question, as other questions of the kind are solved, bv
the special perspicacity of the present age of investigation.

Some of the western States are introducing the eel, where he is not to
the manner born, and demanding' culture and protection for him, consider-
ing him intrinsically valuable as a food fish, and that no system of t;sh cul-
ture can be complete without him.

The most useful method of taking the eel, however, has heretofore been
the fish basket or eel weir. There must be some other means applied, for,
while that predaceous invention may suit very well for the special purpose,
its utterly destructive effects on other tribes are such as to require its ban-
ishment from all civilized waters.

WHITE TlSS—( Co7'cjonu3 Albus.)

In our previous reports we detailed at length the object and result of
our official visit to Lake Erie to look after the fishing interests generally,
but more particularly in regard to our duty in relation to the propagation
and iutroduction of this valuable fresh water fish, along the skirts of liake
Erie and inland bay, which claims attention. The visit had the desired
effect of producing an additional interest in the protection of all kinds
of fish. The piratical pound nets were made things of the past, and new
fields were opened for the angler where depletion hitherto prevailed.
The game and fish association of p]rie, by their vigilance, have produced
the most beneficial results, and if persisted in, will restore what must
certainly be a source of pride and gratification to the inhabitants of
that city, as well as a fruitful source of revenue. We have only about
forty-five miles skirting the lake, and to give some faint idea of the niagni-
tude of tlie lake fisheries, especially in regard to the more valuable migra-
tory white-fish and herring, to say nothing about the trout, pickerel, bass,
catfish, kc. The Ohio commissioners' report contains the number of tons
caught for the Toledo market alone in one year.

Whole number caught 3^000 tons.

^«lted, 30,000 half barrels.

^"'^ozon, 85 tons.

Shipped fresh, 9I5 tons.

We saw at the wharves of Erie responsible parties handling white-fish,
herring, &c., by the thousand tons, observing ordinary fishermen bringing
in, in their small boats, as high as three hundred pounds at a time of
white-fish, which, witli the railway facilities of our State, brings these deli-
cious and excellent fisli within fifteen hours of the Delaware. The neces-
sary legislation was conceded, and will doubtless be further granted, suffi-
cient to protect their entire interests, involving as it does great commercial

Leg. Doc]

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

It

value and importance. Notwithstanding its importance, we have not
deemed it advisable to handle or propa<jate this fish at our hatching-houses
on account of our limited lake surface ; but its importance ma}' in the
future require a contributive share on our part to keep up the supply,
which is now so generously awarded by Ohio, Michigau, and other western
border lake States.

GRASS BASS, (Promoxis Annularis.)

We have heretofore alluded to the efforts made in introducing this valua-
ble pan fish east of the mountains in the Juniata, Susquehanna, and tribu-
taries. The commissioners succeeded through the kindness of Messrs.
Klepport and Fisher, of Ohio, (Professor Klepport since dying — entailing
a great loss not only to the State he so honorably served, but to science
and ichthj'ology, an intelligent and enthusiastic advocate.) We obtained
adult fish at Licking reservoir, Ohio, and planted since 1877, almost two
thousand two hundred in our inland waters. Great vigilence was required
in transporting them, not being able to obtain the small fry — most of them
being two and three years old. The reason we could not, is most sugges-
tive— at this inland lake the fishermen live along its banks as their fathers
did years ago, subsisting from fishing, and when we would raise the nets
having one and a half inch mesh, the small yearlings would pass through
unhurt ; and when asked if tliey had did not have smaller meshed nets,
they uttered their condemnation in terms more emphatic than polite, that
they would kill any man who used one, and ex))laining that if such things
were allowed, their occupation would soon be gone. The consequence is
they have abundance of spawners left, and catch and sell only mature fish
— selling them on the l>ank at from a dollar and a half to two dollars per
bushel, which, cleaned, average forty-five pounds of clean meat, the neigh-
boring towns furnishing ready sale for them. These fish attain a weight
of a pound and over in the inland streams and reservoirs. Those intro-
duced into the reservoir at the head-waters of the Jiniiata, near Hollidays-
burg, have increased, and (piite a number have been caught by the anglers,
and we have no doubt of their successful introduction elsewhere, planted.
Professor Kertland, recently deceased, thus complimented the grass bass
on Lake Erie :

" The grass bass has not hitherto been deemed worthv of consideration by
fish culturists, yet, from a long and intimate acquaintance with it« merits,
I hesitate not to pronounce it the fish for the million. It is a native of
our western rivers and lakes, where it usually resorts to deep and slugg'^h
waters, yet, in several instances, where it has found its way into cold and
rapid streams, and even small sized brooks — by means of the construction
of canals, or by the hand of man— it lias adapted itself to the change, and,
in two or three years time, stocked to overflowing, the new localities. As
a pan fish for the table, it is surpassed by few other fresh water species.
For endurance and rapidity of increase, it is uneipialed. Its weight will vary
2 Fisii Uep.

'* State Commissionebs of Fisheeies. [No. 20

ponds Itl-nT ■ ^^' ^"'" *•"" " P^^'"^"*'^ """P'^d '" ^to^'^iog
It W.U „ no wse interfere with the cnltivation of any number ofnew

othT' T h"; '"•*"• '" *^ ""^ ™'^''' '"™S harmoniouslv wi h aU
others and, wh.Ie ,ts structure and disposition restrain it from attacki^^
any other but small fry, its formidable armature of spinnis rays in the dor^
sal and abdommal flns will guard it from the attacks of even voracious pike"

BOOK BASS OB OOOOLK EIE (Ambloi,liU, Hupestri,.)

rock bass'rfoTwT" "5"' ^"" """ "■'"■°""'' ••'^'-""-'' "i*" '"he
rock bass, and p anted, perhaps, two hundred adult fish at different points

It .s fully as desirable a pan fish, buj we failed to get our ordernifed on

account of the lateness of the season, &c. Doctof SterlinTrys of tMs

variety : "I would advise the introduction of rock bass Although t^

tabi ;:: :f 'T'""'"''' '^''^'^«''- ^™'=>'' -" --.v superior trZ
table. Its special recommendation is, that it is a (is i for the luvenHe

angler It does best where there is not much current, the flavor of those

n shallow ponds not being so good as those of the lake, except if wnt"

time. It IS particularly well adapted for artificial ponds being a voradoul

feeder and very hardy." We will add that in our op nion after TZl

trb^k^: "''• "^ '-' ''-'' "- «™- - "- ^a-ki^emVlS

COPPEB-NOSED BEEA*, BLUE StlBPISa CLeporni, Jncisor.)
This admirable little fish, as well as the grass bass and rock bass re
ceived special attention, and in 18T8 we proc.ued two cans for mstrib'uion

that It did not suffer by comparison with either of the others. We have
seen a few caught out of the reservoir near Hollidaysburg, and have i .!
doubt, to a limited extent, they will increase. They certLly rank h'il
for sport to the angler, and will please the palate of t'he most fasM.oi'j

THE SBAO, (Alosa SapidUtima,) SIOBEB.

It is to be very much regretted that the streams of our State have he

come so depopulated of this valuable fish. During the prev o ,! yelrs^f

the commission, considerable care and attention were de otl^ o itTartf

flcial propagation, which were entirely successful and promUed the most

f :. r,\r led^f "'''^' '^*'' '^'^''"■'' •"''<""•"/'--. wh-i x'

Per, V countv B^t th ""VT "^f ' ''"'' ""'""" "' ''>■ """^ '^'-Port,
state. The mtroduction of artificial flsh-way, in the dam, which ar" dis'

Leg. Doc] State Commissionebs op Fisheries. 19

cussed elsewhere in this report, encountered difficulties almost of an in-
surmountable character.

The Commissioners required to introduce fish-ways, could not do so,
if it at all impaired the navigation rights of the Susquehanna Canal Com-
pany, whose canal was fed by the dam on the York county side. This
clause compelled us to modify our plans to such an extent'that we only
have claimed a partial success. This, together with the determined efforts
of pirates and outlaws, from Columbia and the Maryland line, together
with no regard to close time at Havre-de-Grace, and innumerable fish-
baskets to decoy and destroy the small fry in its return to the sea in
the fall, have discouraged the Board very much, and their success in this
direction has not been what it should be ; we therefore have not hatched
shad artificially since 1875, but this hist year planted what Professor Baird,
of the United States commission, so generously assigned us, amounting to
about three quarters of a million, to the upper waters of the Susquehanna
and Juniata. We will suggest the propriety of reciprocal legislation by
Maryland, tending to a close time, which we are sure will meet the appro-
bation of the fishermen, as well ns enable the shad to proceed to their pro-
per spawning grounds unmolested. A law permitting fishing along the
whole line of waters for three alternate days in the week, with four days'
close time, would, we feel certain, be beneficial and be respected by all, and
thus contribute to the success of an enterprise involving one of the most
important questions of successful pisciculture. Lukewarmness on this sub-
ject must cease, and the whole river population must join to have the laws
enforced. Then the up-river folks can have a chance at what they have
been so long desirous of— a chance to fish with success in their own streams.
The catch this year was practically prohibited, by seines, in the upper
waters. The mild winter of last year permitting such a prolific growth of
grass as to render it impossible to fish with seines.

BLACK BABS—CMicropterus Sahnoidea.)
This is one of the most prolific and valuable of our fresh water fish.
Their natural increase is so great, and their growth so rapid, that it never
has been an object of interest to the fish culturist to attempt their artificial
propagation. Wlien the spawning season draws near, they select, guided
by natural instinct, with great care, for the purpose of propagation, certain
portions of the river having a pebbly or gravel bottom. From these they
carefully remove all sediment, weeds, and sticks. This work completed,
leaves a clear, bright place in the bottom of the river, circular in form, and
having a diameter of about two and a half or throe feet. When the parent
fish are ready to spawn, the female goes upon this prepared bed and de-
posits her spawn in a glutinous band or ribbon, running in various direc-
tions across the bed ; she is followed by the male, who impregnates the eggs
by the expression of his milt. They stand guard over their young with
Spartan fidelity, alternately relieving each other, watching all intruders

20

State Commissioners op Fisheries.

[No. 20,

u

with a jealous eye. After the little fish are hatched, they otill afford them
protection, and teach them how to forage and obtain food suitable to their
taste and condition. Their fertility is wonderful_a large pair of bass will
deposit from 20,000 to 30,000 eggs. It is thought thev are capable of repro-
diiction at two years old, being at that age about eight or nine inches long
They begin spawning in April and generaby get through latter part of
June. Ihoy frequently obtain the growth of five or six pounds

The following description of the fish is given by Thaddeus Xorris in his
book, the "American Angler:"

- Head and body, dusky olive above, sometimes with a vellowish tint
ighter on the sides ; belly, white; opercles, light green, o^ greenish vel-
low ; first dorsal fin, nine spines and eighteen soft ravs ; pectorals, fifteen •
ventrals, one spine, five rays; anal, three spines and twelve ravs; caudal'
nineteen; body, elongated, oval, straight on the beliv : eve.larije; mouth'
very large, lower jaw longer. The vomer has brush-like teeth in front'
teeth on the palatines, and pharyngeal bones ; tongue, smooth, without
teeth in front.'' We have met with most wonderful success in their intro-
duction, the Susquehanna, Juniata, and their tributaries literallv swarming
with these valuable fish, atlbrding fishing, perhaps, to the extent of twelve
to fifieen hundred miles on either side of the streams. We are also intro-
ducing as rai.idly as we can into the streams adapted to them, in the west-
ern part of the State, to those where they originallv prevailed, and others
which never contained them. There seem to be as vet ab.nilant food in
the way of nunuows, suckers, mullets, &c., notwithstandino- predictions
were that a few years would exluuist and re(iuire fresh supplv, ns well as
perhaps new varieties. We have lately been iuforu.ed that the oil pipes
passing along our western waters leak and pollute the streams, thus destrov-
mg the newly introduced tribes. If economy of oil does not suggest 'a
remedy for this, some .)ther remedy will have to be soucrht for. TheVipes
should surely be laid tight enough so as not to pollute a stream like the
A\est ]>ranch of the Susquehanna.

SALMON TROVT—CSafmo Confinis.)
The salmon trout, or lake trout, are essentially a lake and deep water
fish and we thought in the earlier days of the commission thev could be
acclimate.1 to the deep, large pools which are created bv the suction of
large dams in most of our rivers, and especially near the' head waters of
those led by cohl spring water. And for the purpose of trvin-r the experi-
nient we handh.l several hundred thousand of them, distributin<r Uberallv
all over the State i i the years 1S73, 1874, and 1875. The e-gs ,.t first were
purchased from Seth Green, the superintendent of the hatchinc-house of
the S^tate of Xew York. We also gave a large number to priva'te individ-
uals for the purpose of testing whether they would find new - habitats " in
deep springs and other favorable locations. Hoping as thev were in their
native haunts, prolific breeders, of large growth, attaining the weight of

Leg. Doc]

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

31

thirty pounds, and exceedingly palatable as an article of food, that we
might succeed in at least procuring a fish of respectable growth and qual-
ity. Our expectations have not been realized, and we are unable to account
satisfactojily for the result. At our hatching-house at Corry, Erie county,
we have succeeded in raising about two hundred and fifty in a pond not
more than fifteen by twenty feet, three feet deep in the center, supplied by
a spring, and they are healthy, vigorous fish, now six-year-olds. Mr. Seth
Weeks has recently taken some spawn from them, the females weighing
eight pounds, nearly thirt}' inches in length ; the impregnation succeeding
as well as with brook trout. He has also crossed with the brook trout, but
their progeny, whilst giving indications of great docility, serious apprehen-
sions have existed among pisciculturists that they would, as '' hybrids," have
mulish tendencies, and not incline " to increase and multiply on the face of
the waters." But quite recently Seth Green has set at rest this hitherto
unsolved problem in a satisfactory manner, which in all probability will
open up a rich field of successful experiment and be productive of good re-
sults. He sends us the following on the subject, which we take pleasure in
introducing :

VALUABLE ADDITIONS TO FOOD FISHE

To the Editor of the Sun :

Sir : At the New York State fish hatchery we have a pond containing
sixtv hvbrid trout. The cross is male salmon trout with female brook
trout. They are now three years old, and average one-half pound. The
largest will weigh three-quarters of a pound. They resemble both parents,
but are a little inclined toward salmon trout the most. On Xovember 1
the}' began sj)awning for the first time, and continued until November 12.
We succeeded in olitaining 19.400 spawn. A remarkable fact concerning
the spawn is that they are fully two sizes smaller than brook trout spawn.
It might be well to state that salmon trout spawn are twice as largo as
brook trout si)awn. The eggs are perfect in shape, and n good percentage
are impregnated. The formation of the fish in the e<xfr can be seen plainly.

They ])egan to spawn just after the salmon trout in our ponds had stopped,
and before the brook trout had fairly commenced.

It is my opinion that they will make a fish well adapted to either lakes
or streams. They are a well-formed and handsome fish, and the prospects
are that they will be a valual)le addition to our lietter class of food fishes.

We also crossed a few hundred hybrid eggs with male brook trout. A
good percentage are impregnated.

All of the fish at the hatchery are looking very fine. We shall tnke a
large supply of brook trout spawn; also California mountain trout spawn.
The breeders of this variety are in splendid condition. A\'e shall bo able to
furnish all parties in this State, desirious of obtainiug them for public
waters, with a good supply.

Seth (Jreen.

Rochester, December 3, 1880.

^^ State Commissioners op Fisheries. [No. 20.

However, he says his experience with salmon trout as originals is " that
they will live only in clear, cold, deep lakes, needing the purest water of
any fish m the country." We hope to be able to furnish fish of a more
promising character ; better adapted to our waters, with certainly more
favorable results, and in view of these facts have none for distribution at
present. If the hybrids are a success we may introduce some of them in
due time. The Xew York commissioners have crossed the followine va-
rieties : ®

Female. ,-■ ,

01. . Male.

Salmon trout, with T,r, .^ „ ,

rj , ^ / . . uhitefish.

Salmon trout, with .... t> 1 ^ .

T» 1^ ^.. Brook trout.

Brook trout, w th . . . p..«.k * ,

T. . ^ /.. ^ r^sh water herring.

Brook rout, w.th California salmon.

«r^ -T' '"'"' California mountain trout.

fehad, with o.. . -, 1.

C5U J -x. otriped bass.

Shad, with tt .

T .. . . • • Herring.

in this connection we introauce another letter from Seth Green, recently"
indited, who seems to be indefatigable in his explorations of the mvsteries
of piscine propagation :

A NEW EXPEEIMENT BY SETH GREEN.

v^* AJi 1:, ■, . r, l^ocHESTER, January SL 1882.

Editor Afield and Afloat : ^ » -^oo^.

On the 31st day of December, 1880, the idea occurred to me to try the
experiment of impregnating eggs of fish by injecting the milt of the' male
into the vent of the female bymeansof a syringe. Januarys, 1881, I tried
the experiment with brook trout, in the following way : I first selected
ripe females and then took the milt from the male into a vessel, and also
drew It directly from the male into a small glass svringe and injected it as
quickly as possible into the female, and then placed her in a tub of water.
I have tried this experiment on fifteen female brook trout, and let the milt
and spawn remain in them from one minute to forty-eight hours before
taking them. They are now eighteen days old and looking well. The ex-
periment is a new one, and I shall look forward to the result with interest.

Seth (j}reen.

GRATUNO— ( r^ymai/ua Sifpii/er.)

This beautiful fish attracted wide-?pread attention immediately after its
discovery in the wilds of Michigan. Since then Seth Green 'and Fred
Mather have given special attention to the adaptation of this species to
streams of same temperature as the Au Sable river, where it is found. In
1874 Green discovered their existence in many other streams of Michigan
They are also found in Montana, and are common on the Continent and
certain streams of England. Their great anticipated merit was spawning
in April and being in good condition from July to November They

Leg. Doc]

State Commissioners op Fisheries.

38

would afford finfe sport from the beginning to the close of the northern
fishing season. Mather describes him : " The grayling has all the fins of
a trout ; his pectorals are olive brown with a bluish cast at the end ; the
ventrals are large and beautifully striped with alternate streaks of brown
and pink, the anal is plain brown, the caudal is very forked and plain,
while the crowning glory is his immense dorsal. This fin rises forward of
the middle of its back, and in a fish a foot long, it will be nearly three
inches in length by two high, having a graceful curved outline, and from
eighteen to twenty rays, dotted with large red or bluish-purple spots, which,
in life, are brilliant, and are surrounded by a splendid emerald green, which
fades after death ; in shape like a trout, a trifle slimmer perhaps, and not
so thick near the tail ; the scale is large, silvery, with sometimes a copper
tinge near the shoulders, these are black spots, sometimes triangular and
at others Y-shaped; the eye large and full, with a beautiful yellow iris."
Possessing such beauty, anglers were very anxious about introducing it
into Pennsylvania waters, being so nearly allied to the brook trout. The
mode of catching seems quite the same, and Green says their "gastronomic
qualities are good, but he would rather have a trout or some other kind
of fish. They have a peculiar flavor, such as I never tasted before ; the
flesh firm and coarse-grained and as free of bone as the trout;" all of
which commends it to the angler and for table use. Mr. Green succeeded
in handling them artificially and treated them in all respects nearly as the
brook trout, but after experimenting, concluded it was questionable whether
it "was worth while." In confinement they did not spawn for him, and
were consequently useless to the fish culturists, although they might prove
desirable to the sportsman if adult fish were turned loose in the streams.
Having been frequently asked for them, we thought the above description
and results attained by such distinguished culturists, would be satisfactory
answers to our inquirers and set at rest why we did not propagate and dis-
tribute them.

CALIFORNIA MOUNTAIN TROUT, (Salmo Iridea.)
McCloud River Trout, «&c.
Perhaps no newly discovered fish has awakened so much genuine inter
est as the California brook trout, not in the sense of never having been
known exactly, but in its adaptability to the fresh water streams of the
eastern States. It promises far better and more lasting results than the
meteoric grayling. The McCloud river, in California, where they are found
in great abundance, posseses a temperature analagous to our own Susque-
hanna, Juniata, and their tributaries. Its general average is about seventy
degrees, but in some localities rises as high as eighty degrees. Not having
any expei-ience with this fish, we must turn aj,ain,as we do often with pleas-
ure, and always with profit, to Seth Green's experience with this new-comer.
Last spring we obtained about twenty thousand eggs by express from Mc-
Cloud river in all, part received through Professor Spencer F. Baird, of the

24

Statb Commissioners op Fisheries

[No. 20,

Lnited States commission and part from private sources, but were unfor-
lunate in their not being properly packed, or impregnated, and lost all but
about one thousand, which are promising well, and bid fair to eclipse our
brook trout in rapidity of growth as well as ease in handling them. Mr
Green says, " California mountain trout are, also, more vigorous in every
way than the eastern trout ; they are not so handsome, having no carmine
specks and much duller colors on their sides and bellies, but they are
hardy, lived well in confinement, and grew rapidly. They take a fl v readily
and furnish excellent sport to the fisherman, so strong and gamev that
they break the brook trout anglers' tackle to pieces, while their flesh, which,
like tliat of our trout, is sometimes white, and sometimes red, is not to be
surpassed as food. So strong are they that they are dillicult to manipu-
late in extracting the spawn from them. They are hard to hold and will
only give down their milt or spawn when they are ready. The person hand-
ling them must wait for his opport.mity. The only California trout which
were ever acclimated in the eastern States up to ^1878 were hatched and
fITJ" I*"" ^'"" ^^"""^ establishment. They commenced spawning March
14,1878, three years after they were imported in the eg^. They yielded more
eggs than the eastern trout in proportion to thsir size, and"the e-gs were
slightly larger. They continued spawning until May 25, and began to
hatch m forty-five days." The above extract is taken from a recent publi-
cation, 'Fish Hatching and Fish Catching," by Green and Roosevelt, and
we would add, in this connection, as a general answer to many inquiries on
artifical fish breeding, that we do not know of a more ^aluable contribution
on the subject, embracing everything of importance, described in a masterly
manner, but in the most plain and intelligible style, commending itself as a
valuable and exhaustive contribution to the ichthyological branch of na-
tural history.

Mr. Green further states, substantially, in a recent contribution on the
same subject, to the " Afield and Afloat," that the mountain trout will live
in may streams our brook trout will not live in. They have at the \ew
lork State hatchery 16,000 two-year olds, and 34,000 vearliuffs, the pro-
duct from 500 spawn obtained in 1876. A brook trout, at three years old
will weigh about one half pound, and a (^ilifornia mountain irout will
weigh one pound. For sporting purposes, superior to the l.rook trout, much
stronger and full of pluck. They are excellent table fish, fully up to the
brook trout, feeding on the same food, and from actual test, they are just
tlie fish for the headwaters of the Hudson, Delaware, and Susquehanna.
Ihe plants he made in the Genesee river, in 1878. justifies the belief that
but a small proportion of them perish. They spawn in March and April
depending somewhat on the changes of climate and temperature. He
thinks, when acclimated, they will commence spawning in the fall as our
brook trout do. A female California mountain trout produces, at five years
old about 1500 eggs, and at this age some of them weigh as high as three
and a half pounds. They are difflcult to strip without injury, as they are

Plat of Property Western HutcliinR House. Page 6.

hi"

III

t

Leg. Doc]

State Commissioners op Fisheries.

25

so strong — being impossible almost for one man to hold them. To over-
come this, we operate with them as with shad and other large fish, liave
one man hold the head while another does the stripping. When the spawn-
ing season arrives, the males are ferocious, and join in battles of the most
furious character — sometimes inflicting such injuries as to produce death.
When lacerated and torn in the flesh, if they are subjected to a strong salt
bath daily for some time, it will effect a cure. Their spawn is between that
of the brook trout and salmon trout, and hatch in about fifty days. The
young are vigorous from the start, and but little trouble, with proper and
regular feeding, to raise them, &c." We fully expect to meet all demands
as soon as possible, and will endeavor to obtain such a number of stock fish
as will fully demonstrate their utility in Pennsylvania waters.

BBOOK TROUT— (^armo FontanaHs.)

At the commencement of our piscatorial labors, in casting around for the
most prolific and valuable varieties of fish for introduction, it was not
deemed advisable or politic to pay special attention to the acknowledged
'' pride of the angler." This conclusion was arrived at more on account of
their not being considered a very fruitful fish, yielding, as compared to other
varieties, fewer spawn, and more difficultv attending their handlinjr and
propagation artificially. We, therefore, confined our attention to more
fertile varieties. We, however, indicated that additional facilities might
aflford in the future such appliances as would encourage an effort to restock
our already fast depleting streams of this most valuable table fish and true
sportsmen's friend. As public sentiment became better informed on fish
culture, and the generosity of the people, through the Legislature, afforded
the commission ample means and accommodation, to undertake the cultiva-
tion and dissemination of trout, our lab(»rs in this direction have been re-
warded with wonderful results. Since it was made known we had them for
publi-' distrilnition, the orders from all directions have far exceeded the
supply. In order to meet the demand, we have and are increasing our
facilities every season for increasing the taking of spawn, and expect to
distri])ute quite three qunrtors of a million this season. Our success in
this direction would be greater if we had proper legislation protecting the
newly introduced fry into depleted streams, and we hopr for some at the
present session, which, if secured will insure success and a complete re-
stockinir of the numerous trout streams of the State. The most flatterin<r
reports are received from all quarters, and we feel certain of the undertak-
ing being a great success. Legislation simply preventing the catch of trout
smaller than four inches, and having a close time of three years in streams
stocked — ]>ermitting fishing the third year — would most certainly restock
all our depleted streams. Our cultivation and distribution of trout, has
awakened a deep personal interest and investigation into the subject which
has resulted in suggesting to private individuals the propriety of utilizing
their springs and waters adapted to this variety. Inquiries all over the

^* State Commissionebs of Fisheries. [No. 20

State as to the methods of cultivation, construction of ponds, kinds of food'
manner of propagation, &c., are made, which really requir^ short essays'
upon art.fle.a flsh culture, and involve much time and Lor to answe/I
all safsfactorUy. Wc thought, in view of this, to refer such parties to the

aTo h^ld t :''T '""""""°"' '" '''"' '" *"'« ™™'v- as well a
hLh ' ^ « , ' """"■■" '" """""•^■"•'ng Green and Roosevelt on flsh
hatching and flsh catching; price, $1 50; to be had at George H. Myer '
16 Chambers street, New York. In view, however, of our report obrain.n^
somewhat o a general circulation in our own State so numeCsJdTef
with trout streams and springs, we have thought it advisable to brieflv get^

of the Corry Hatchery afl-ords good illustrations of location, shape and ar!
rangement of ponds, runs for spawning, distribution of wat;rTc

lestthe"rer" f ""' T''' '"f ^ ""'"" '' "^•'^^^">- ^he water should (un-
less there be a large volume of it) have a fall of four t,. eight feet, so located
a not to receive surface water. The temperature in summer sho dd nofrise
h ghcr than s,xty.flve degrees. The water should be taken from the fou" t

™L„T% r"'"' """'"^ "^"*'"""^ ™*-«'>- "" "«'g»'t"'le of opl
rations. The diagram affords an illustration of how every gill of wa er

can be ut,I,.ed if necessary, from pond to pond, as well ascon tolg the
fountam head for supply direct to hatchery. The ponds should be^, ar
shaped, wth runs from one to the other, covered with pebbles, whrre the
spawners can go for natural or artiflcal impregnation, as'well a to grt rW
of parasites. They should be about six to eight inches deep, the ponds
varying from two and a half to five feet in depth. There shoi Id be wire
screens between the ponds, painted with coal tar and asphaltum mixed rel!
dermg them im,K,rvious to water and durable. The screens where'X
small fry are kept should be twelve threads to the inch ; older flsh five or
^x threads to the inch. The temperature of the water' should .as un"
form as possible, running from thirty-Bve to sixty-flvc degrees. The char-
acter of the troughs will be found in description of hatchery. The water
should U. run through filtering clothes fVom the distributing troilh reg
ulated by faucets. The troughs covered with small gravel si.e of ;^^.
a trough should ix. six inches deep, fifteen wide, and al^ut iZg ha,-iW
strips at intervals, making nests in bottom , this si.e would re.,ui e at„t f
five eighth inch hole to supply with water, with slight head sufflc ent to
make rippling over the cross pieces. The gravel should be well washed

all her w n?ffl T' ""^f ■ ^'"'™ ""^ '^«' "^^ "•"^^d '" the troughs,
rut^ ^ J . ' '"■'""' **""" 8™"'- *'"•<"•«' devices are used for

running dead eggs, which should be attended to daily. Wc use a wire

L'lTu , , ^ ""''"'' '''"«• '^88' "^ '» '■"amiued bv placin., them
ma small ph.al in water, placing them tetween you and the 1 glit hor lo"
tallj.and placing the mierosco,«o„ them. A small net can be con truc^

Leg. Doc]

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

27

to remove the fry by fine netting placed over wire, the shape of D, with
handle attached on the center of curve. The time required to hatch out
eggs depends very much on the temperature of the water. Seth Green
saj^s, "fifty degrees will hatch out in fifty days, and each degree colder
takes five days longer." Our experience is, a temperature of from forty-
five to fort^'-seven degrees, taking about seventy-two days to produce the
best fish. The temperature of water can be modified b}' pooling, if re-
quired. About the twentieth day a young fish can be observed in the egg.
In due time the trout forces himself, tail foremost, through the shell, (if
unfortunately he presents himself head foremost, death is his portion.) He
presents a " wide-awake" appearance, consisting of enormous e3'es, small
body, and a knap-sack appendage, which is called the umbilical sac, con-
taining his food, which is absorbed in from thirty to forty days, after which
time he goes it on his own hook. From this time till they attain five or six
months old, man3'die,and it is therefore the most critical period in their lives.
They should be thinned out, and after being fed a month or two, placed in
ponds, thriving better. Their troughs should be cleaned daily, and food
just enough to satisfy, and not deposit to foul the bottom and decay. The
best food is liver, chopped fine as possible, or mashed through a very fine
wire screen, without gristle. It is said a half pint will feed a hundred
thousand when they first begin to feed. The young fish should be fed six
or eight times a day till four months old, when twice will do. When they
grow older beef lights can be used, or pluck, as it called b}' the butchers,
which is cheaper than heart or liver. Whenever you see them play canni-
bal increase the feed, and it will have a tendency to save life, though not
entirely, prevent it. Space will not permit more extended detail, and ref-
erence must be had to the various publications on the subject, such as in-
dicated, or to Livingston Stone, Fred. Mather, and other distinguished
writers on the subject.

CABP — iCyprinus Carpio.)

In our last report we noted the contemplated introduction into the
United States of this valuable fish, the well known carp, of Europe, and
quoted largely from Mr. Rudolph Hessel's, exhaustive treatise on the sub-
ject. Not having any actual experience in the handling of this variety, we
take pleasure in presenting anything of interest in relation to its successful
importation, presenting what we had before, and additional information
from other distinguished sources. We print Professor Spencer F. Baird's
Interesting letter on the subject, and take the lil)erty of using information
from the able report of T. B. Ferguson, of the Maryland commission,
whose ingenuity and fertility in piscatorial knowledge contributes much to
the advancement of artificial fish culture. We are indebted to Messrs.
Munn k Co., of the Scientific American and the Agriculturist^ for draw-
ings of the mirror and leather carp ; the electrotypes are reproductions
from these valuable journals. This fish has been known for centurifts in

28

State Commissionirs op Fisbbeies.

[Xo 20,

Europe eh.efly cultivated in Germany ami Austria, where several varie-
t,es are found. There are three groups-seale, mirror and leather.

Uie scale carp, ( 6Vpn»«s Carpio Oommunio.) which resemliles the
orisnial form, was imported centuries ago from Asia," with regular, con-
centrually-arranged scales, being, in fact, tlie original species improved.

1 he mirror carp. ( Cyprtnu, Carpio Specutans,) thus nnme.l on account
ot he extraordinarily large scales, which run along the si<Ies of the hody
in three or four rows, tlie rest of the bodv being bare

The leather carp, (Cyprinua Garpio Coriacem, Si.e if„rf«,.) which has
on the back etther only a few scales or none at all, and possesses a thick
soft skin which feels velvety to the touch-thc two last „ame.l being
somewhat stouter and shorter, but more flesliv bodies. The latter is tlie
most esteemed of the three. Their increase is wonderful, if located favor-
ably. Mr. Poppe, of California, in Sonoma county, in the summer of 1872
placed five small carp in a pond which had 74° Fahrenheit ; in the follow'
mg May they had increased to sixteen inches i". length an.l he secured three
thousand hsh from them. Two of these survive now, over two feet lon^
and weigh over fifteen pounds a piece. He feeds his fish almost wholly
on cur.l, from the dairy, varied with barley, wheat, beans, corn, peas

frl'nliHe , "■ ''''"•' '■'""' ™'-i"-lA- »» «'»". commonlv called
frogs-spittle; also, on worms, insects and iarua., which thev obtain by
rooting in the bottom. The eggs attach themselves toacpiatie pb.nt ,and
t > well enourh to throw in some brush, in order, when the eggs „r; at-
tached and .mpregnate.l, they can be transplanted bv liftii,..; placin.r in
water, and conveyed to other ponds. Xo other kind of lish sh-'ul.l be" al-
lon^d in the ponds. The ,.o„ds are constructed in a slopi ,anner from

on let. m the shape of a kettle, for the double purpose of a low depression
to hibernate 11, and collect when the water is .Irawn. Thev shoul, be well
furnished with accpiatic plants, the ordinary pond weeds ponleHda .and

Z ""•?; '! ""; "'"^ "'■ """" "'"—'■-.V kind, almost, which grow
seeds, w, d nee and such as have leaves floating on the surface like duck
weed. Jt IS well to have partitions, for the purpose of div iding tlie open
-pace from the thickly vegetable growth in order to separa;. the Uh
after spawning from the s|K,wn deposits, as thev feed upon it

Ibultiv T-'\ ^"^ "'" ^'"""^ '" """ '■'""'"' ••'"•" ""-"' ••""' 'I'f^- fo-'Hlis
Mil mixed iitoa paste and scattered in the poud in order to en.ourage

them to seek it. Care must bo taken not to overfed. Doctor TIe.ssel savs in

Kurope carp are always taken to market alive, in tanks or barrel, and if

they are not sold, returned to the water aliveat the end of the dav " ' Thev

are sai.l to be kept alive in cellars in the winter, wrapped in wet m;ss Z

fed „p,m bread soaked in milk. The doctor kept one this wav live .cZ

The ever inquisitive American .angler at once asks, since we have them

will hey bite andean they be caught with hookand liney An ?, r.^S

article in "Aflel.l and Afloat " answers the question, by " Old Fii " wl "h

Leo. Doc]

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

29

we take pleasure in alluding to. "As to his eating qualities, centuries of
use have settled this question afiirmatively. To fish for him, first schocl
yourself well with the rod of patience. In hot weather go early and quit
late ; they will bite at worms or at paste, the latter as varied as toothache
medicine. Sweet pastes preferred. You will find him in summer in deep
holes, nooks, and reaches under roots of trees or near great beds of weeds,
flags, «S:c. Baits for the carp are all sorts of earth and dunghill worms,
flag-worms, grasshoppers, (though not at top,) ox brains, the pith of an
ox's backbone, green peas, red or black clierries, with stones out. Fish with
strong tackle, very near the bottom, and with a fine grass or gut next the
hook and use a goose quill float. Never attempt to angle for a carp from
a boat. Grains of wheat steeped in water until they swell is considered
tempting bait ; and perhaps after all a clean, tough red worm, or a big
blue-bottle fly will be found to be the most generally attractive bait for this
singular iish. The rod should have plenty of spring, line as thin and fine
as possil»le ; running tackle and hook Xo. 8, covered over with the bait,
shank and all. If a blue-bottle fly, a small hook put across the body, just
under the wings. The bait must rest on the ground. When hooked, check
gently, giving plenty of line, keephig pressure enough to stimulate, and
you are sure of your prey. From February till June may be caught at all
times of the day. From June to September, during the morning and even-
ing. Their increase, mathematically considered, is almost incredible.
Mr. Levi Davis says : " For instance, in 1876 the increase from three fe-
males was two thousand and forty. In 1877, the increase the same. In
1878, one thousand and twenty females increased six hundred and ninety-
four thousand six hundred and forty, and so on ; and the result of the
seventh reaches the enormous sum of eighty -one billion six hundred and
ninety-eight million two hundred and thirty-four thousand two hundred and
forty. Average these at one potmd each, and we will have forty-one mil-
lion three hundred and twenty-four thousand and eighty-eight and four-
tenths tons." The commissioners are preparing ponds and may have some
for distribution in the future; but for the present. Professor Baird is meet-
ing all demands through the United States commission, and expresses
thorough contidence in the ultimate success of the experiment of intro-
ducin<r this vahu V»le fish into American waters.

Its'habits locate it, in Europe, in stagnant waters and in waters where
the current is not too swift, loamy, muddy bottoms, covered with vegeta-
tion as it lives upon vegetable food, as well as upon worms and the larva'
of aipiatic insects, not refusing kitchen ortal and that of slaughter-houses,
breweries, and the leavings of cattle and pigs, thus possessing advantages
in livin'' where many other fish could not.

In winter thev seek the deeper water to hibernate in groups, making a
cavitv in tl:e bottom, where they remain, with their heads together, in con-
centric circles, partaking of no food from November to March, spawning
from the month of May till August.

*' Statk Commissiomees op Fisheeim. [No. 20

Ma? J,!^^ "1°.? ""'fr '" ^'"*"'' *"" ""^'''P' ""'""S «"« """'thB of
May June, July, and August, depending somewhat on the character of

the food and the temperature of the water. The number of eggsT a carp

are enormous, which account for its wonderful increase as a food fish n

add.t.on to jts attractiveness for the table, lilce that of the salmon, bass &c

A fish weighing five pounds, contains from four hundred thousand to five

hundred thousand eggs. The egg, are agglomerated, not detached, and ad

here to aqu.,t.c plants, stones, or brush-wood, in lumps. The nsh a tains in

me": ^e' to rf T- * V'- """ ""^ """^^^ P"™"'' -" "-• »-"' "
mens are to be found m Austria, to the extraordinary age of one hundred

and forty years, increasing in size up to the thirty-fifth year! when U

measures, m length, three and one half feet by two and three n .alters in

crcumference, weighing, at the time, from thirty to forty pounds

Ihe waters of the United States are specially well adapted for its enl-
ture on account of the abundance of plants, seks, and wild rice, whicl
the European waters do not possess. ••«, "men

It is well adapted to artificial culture, in inclosed waters and ponds as

M "«°71'T T""'' ""'' '' "™- ''"<• ""'-- f- " ^^ fishing

Mr. Rudolph Hessel, in his exhaustive treatise, says that there is no

TX Us f:^it""'' "■"' T'" --^--'. - - advantageous as Z
carp. Its frnga ,ty m regard to its food, its easy adaptability to all waters

rTl """"Ih" ^"' ""^ ''"""^' """ ^^•^" ^«" ™ter estuaries, its reg lI7
rap,d growth, and its value as a food fish, are its best recommendations
Its extensive culture in Europe is amazing. Thousands of acres con
T.TJ1 :;"«'''"• P°"<'^- -"^ ot them having an extent of o^ 'thl

Prile of Sch 1 ""''• '" ''"''"''• ''""-^-'a^'y. a^ «" instance, the

Pr nee of hchwarzenburg possesses more than two hnndred and fifty p^nds

can ha™ hirirf T ""*""' ""'' '"""*'• *« '""•" P'^-^'eulturist

can ha^e h.s half acre pond near his house, and can feed his earn with

re use from kitchen or stable, as well as with vegetable ma ter s'ch s
cabbage lettuce, corn, tun,ips,*c., and raise them for family „«; as weH
as for the market. It is a fish whose qualities for the table render i pre
ferred „. Europe, (where there is an abundant supply of both salt water
and fresh water fish,) to all others, except trout and salmon, and command
The LT '"""'" '"^'' "' """'"'"■'^ rest, excepting the salmon and

PB0FE8S0R BAUD'S LETTEE.

Hon. James B. Beck :

si^L'thr ?,7"V'''''"' "• «'^ <■"""« »<• t''f» new fish, and 'am quite well
sat sfl«l that witlun ten years it will constitute a very prominent element
m the food annuals of the country. Although scarcel.y known in the U„i™d

^d Fra",^?"- T" " "" """'* "' '■^*'"''«'' WHcation in England

and France, .t >s ■„ (Jermany and Austria that it is cultivated in the

Leg. Doc]

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

31

highest degree, so as to constitute a notable article of market supply. The
fish itself is probably of Asiatic origin, and has been domesticated in China
for thousands of years. It has, however, been so extensively distributed
in Europe as to have become, in a measure, a native fish, occurring in public
waters as well as in private enclosures. It is emphatically a farmer's fish,
and may safely be claimed to be among fishes what chickens are among
birds, and pigs and ruminants are among mammals. Its special merit lies
in the fact of its sluggishness, and the ease with which it is kept in very
limited enclosures, it being a vegetable feeder, and its general inoffensive-
ness. Whereas trout and black bass require a supply of animal food for their
sustenance and growth, the carp, while not disdaining files, worms, larvae,
&c., lives on the succulent roots and leaves of aquatic plants, their seeds
fallen into the water, and other similar substances, and may be fed very
readily upon corn, grain, bread, root crops, raw or boiled, and, indeed, any
vegetable refuse whatever. Its rate of growth, too, is somewhat marvel-
ous, and as observed so far in the specimens introduced into the United
States, being even more remarkable here than in Europe.

Among the original fish imported by us from Europe, and which are now
only about three and a half years old, are somf» from twenty-five to thirty
inches in length, weighing from four to eight or nine pounds.

The three varieties imported by us— the scaly, mirror, and leathern carp-
are all of first class excellence and characterized by broad backs, as distin-
guished from the sharp back and more bony characters of the common
fish. They occupy a conspicuous place in the German fish markets, and
bring the same price as the trout, selling generally for about twenty-five
cents per pound. The carp will thrive best in artificial or natural ponds
with muddy bottoms and abounding vegetation. In large ponds it may
not be necessary to add any special food ; but in restricted enclosures, as,
for instance, in those of a fraction of an acre, they may be fed with the re-
fuse of the kitchen, garden, leaves of cabbage, lettuce, leek, &c., hominy or
other substances, drain of any kind is generally better boiled before being
fed to the fish, but this is probably not absolutely necessary. It is a prime
necessity that there be no predaceous fish embraced in the same pond with
the carp. Of course the larger fish will be measurably secure against the
attacks of carnivorous species about the same size, but the eggs and young
will become a prev to their associates. The carp spawn in the spring, in
May and June, and, indeed, under some circumstances, throughout the en-
tire summer. We have young fish spawned all the way from May until
September. They are very prolific, the female varying from 50,000 to
500,000, according to her size. The eggs adhere tenaciously to whatever
they touch ; for that reason it is very important that the pond should be
provided with floating weeds for such attachment. The eggs hatch out in
a few days and the young grow very rapidly. They feed voraciously upon
so-called frog spittle, the green algo scum that is so common in frog ponds.
Consequently such waters are especially adapted for carp.

32

State Commissioners op Fisheries.

[No. 20,

H

\S henever the water becomes chilled down, to perhaps 40°, and especiallv
when frozen over at the top, the fish bury themselves in the mud, a^frreJ.
ting m lots from fifty to one hundred, frequently with their tails projectinsr
and constituting what is called in Germany, kettles or rolls. It is very
important that they should not be disturbed under such circumstances Of
course, while hybernating in this way they are not feeding, although they
are said not to lose appreciably in weight. In the more southern reo-ions
where the waters do not freeze, they will probably feed, throughout the
year, and make a more rapid growth. So far, no waters have proved too
warm for them. As regards the best plants for a carp pond, I mav men-
tion the ordinary pond-weeds, pon^ederm and sagiitaria, splatter docks or
pond hl.es ; and, indeed, any of the kinds that grow in the water with leaves
floating upon the surface, duck-weed among the number

Those which produce seeds, like the wild rice, are especially desirable,
as the hsh feed voraciously upon them.

Very truly yours,

SPENCER F. BAIRD.
During the spawning season an appreciable change takes place in the male
carp, protuberances, like warts, appearing on the skin of the head and back
and disappearing upon the expiration of that period. This is a peculiarity
with most of the cyprinoids. Some time before the usual spawning season
sets in,the falling out of the pharyngeal teeth takes place ; these grow anew
every year. Some days before the spawning the fishes show an increased
vivacity, rising more often from the depths below to the surface Two or
three or more of the male fish keep near the female; the latter swims more
swift y on a warm sunny morning, keeping mostly close to tlie surfoce fol-
lowed by the males.

Indications are strong that the carp will flourish well in the Juniata and
Sus.p,ehanna. In the spring of 1880, Mr. Ilewit, Fish Commissioner, cave
three small fry to James A. McCahan, near HolIidavsbur<r, at the fount-
ain head of the Juniata, for planting in a pond ; in Julv, it became neces-
sary to remove them, two remaining, which were planted'in the river Much
to the surprise of every person, one of them was caught Mirch 18 188. in
a dip net, which had grown to thirteen inches in length, and weighed two
pounds which compares favorably with the most successful private cul-
ture, where they are fed and cultivated for the market. The most success-
fiil growth l>eing to obtain three pounds at the age of eighteen months.
The temperature of the water there being cool, as compared to the lower
waters of the Juniata and Susquehanna, we can hope for the most grati-
fying results in the open streams in the introduction of this most prolific
and valuable fish. '

WALL-EYED TIKE- (Slizostethe urn Vitreum.)
Or Susquehanna Salmon.
This fish is sometimes called Lucio-perca, adopted by Cuvier, indicating

i

I

I

I

§

3

3

e

00

8*

GO

(b

^

s

Leo. Doc] State Commissioners of Fisheries. 33

its affinity to both the pike and the perch, sometimes called the pike perch.
Along the Susquehanna and Juniata it is known by the inappropriate name
of " salmon." This misnomer doubtless was given it on account of the
peculiar color and flakiness of its meat. This fish is identical with the glass-
eyed or wall-eyed pike of the northern lakes. How it came to our waters is
not known, but it is not thought to be indigenous— transplanted, doubtless,
from the northern lakes. It is known to the lake fisherman as pickerel ;
split and salted and known in commerce as pickerel No. 1, and a very im-
portant factor in the lake fisheries. Next to the whitefish and herring it is
most abundant, and the supply more regular than either of the others. It
ranks next to the whitefish in delicacy and desirable table qualities. Its
time for spawning is in the spring. While fishing for shad during their
spawning season they are frequently taken full of spawn. The fishermen
re'^arding their own interests so little, although in such a condition as to
yield a Thousand fold, rarely return them to the river, but kill and keep
them. This reckless and indiscriminate taking of these fish made them
scarce in the Susquehanna, where forty years ago they were so abundant, up
even to the head waters of the Juniata. In the fall of the year then, before
the days of public improvements, they were caught and speared in such
quantities bv the people living along these waters that they were packed in
barrels, salted, and in the spring carried to market l)y the arkmen and ex-
changed for goods and groceries. Mr. Creveling secured some fourteen
adult fish from the Susciuehanna a year ago,and made an unsuccessful etfort
to propagate them artificially. After he had stripped the females with ease,
much to his surprise the males were barren, and no milt could be expressed.
This was an unaccountable occurrence in fish culture. We wrote Mr.
Green about it, and he had never experienced such a condition of things in
the same species of fish, invariably finding milt in the males when the fe-
males were readv to spawn. Since then we have not renewed our ertbrts.
They are rapidlv increasing, however, attributable to the increased protec-
tion afforded bv legislation and enforcement of the laws protecting them
during the spawning season ; the black bass also preying upon the Shiners,
&c., that live on the spawn of the Lucio-perca.

POLLUTION OF STBEAMS.
The deposition of deleterious ILpuds and substances of various natures
in our streams from mining and manufacturing establishments of many
kinds must also be regulated. It will not, of course be expected that par-
ties pursuing these avocations shall be nnd.dy restricted in the pursuit of
their business, but carelessness in the disposition (»f such deleterious mat-
ter may well be found to be a nuisance, causing more inconvenience and
loss to the general public than what can be shown to be a gain to those
who follow such avocations. This subject is agitating other neighborhoods
in our own country, and has become a matter for serious consideration in
the old countries.
3 Fish Uki».

34

State Commissioners op Fisheeies.

[No 20,

It was deemed as not unworthy of a paragraph in Queen Victoria's
speech from the throne last year, and is now under discussio"in he Par
luiment of Great Britain. Not only are fishing waters liable to deterioration
from th.s cause but the streams that supply drinking water to large cities
are also mjured The city of New York has had Its attention hnoC
tardy and forcibly drawn to this subject, finding the Croton water heds„
nflneneed more and more as the years roll on, and it will not telonfuntu
the cty of Philadelphia will discover similar c^use of complaint ^

The subject commands the attention of the public, for the health of
human populafons is aBected as well as that of Ihe deLi.ens of the dee^
and ,f the interests of onr race require an adjustment of the law on Z'
subject he finny tribe will benefit incidentally from the same cause
may well be deemed of primary importance and something rel:;;^ mu!t

Of course it is desirable that no law
should be passed bearing unevenly upon
any class of citizens, or inaterialfv dam-
age our manufacturing interests, but the
principle has always been recognized
that some small sacrifice must be made
by the few for the benefit of the many.
We particularly refer to the introduc
tion of refuse matter from tanneries, oil
refineries, dyeing establishments, lime-
kilns, and oil exuding from i.i.perfect
l)ipe lires. The question will soon com-
mand attention in a sanitary i»oint of
view, and we hoj>e that the^ necessity
may not arise which will introduce leg-
islation to |>revent the pollution of the
fresh water streams east of the Alle-
ghenies.

POUND NETS.
These destructive machines are not
generally understood, and frcipientlv we
have received in.piiries ao to their'con-
struction, &c. We cannot do ])etter
than accompany a description of them
by a diagram, which we are permitted
to use l)y the courtesy of IJonjnmiu W.
Richards, Kscpiire. of Philadelplna.
The line A rejiresents a net of about

sj'f hundred feet in length, stretched

MARSH across one of the channels. The dots

along the l.ne represent strong wooden stakes, driven fi.n.ly into the mud

Leg. Doc] State Commissioners of Fisheries. 35

or sand, and upon which a net is supported and extending from the bottom
of the channel to the surface of the water.

B represents a net surrounding a space of probably half of an acre,
firmly secured to stakes at the end of line A, the net being so arranged as
to be drawn up something like a purse.

C, C, represent the wings of the net, staked out so as to aid in conduct-
ing the fish into B.

At the junction of the lines A and C there is a small funnel-shaped open-
ino- throu'di which the fish are conducted into the pound B, and when in
there are unable to get out.

The fish in moving about follow the channel usually. This net being set
across the channel so that when the fish are moving up with the flood-tide,
or down with the ebb, they strike the net on the line A, and naturally swim-
ming along to find a place either to get around it or through it, are con-
ducted into the pond B.

This device for the depletion of your waters of fish is kept for months
in place, and visited every day, sometimes twice a day, by the owners, with
a large boat, which is taken into pond B,the net ''pursed up," and the fish
scooped out. Immense quantities of fish are in this way prevented from
reaching the streams emptying into the bay.

In 1851, the first one was placed in Lake Erie, and they rapidly increased,
till at least five hundred ran out from the south shore to the mouth of
Detroit river, about a mile and a half, into forty feet depth of water. Mr.
Klippart. of the Ohio commission, estimates that these nets would average
two hundreil pounds of white fish per day, the run lasting spring and fall,
say one hundred and twenty days ; in this time, twelve million pounds of
white fish alone would be taken. They comprise two thirds of all taken,
which, with herring, would make eighteen million pounds of fish. Total
depletion is only a question of time, and scarcity of fish has already com-
pelled these plunderers of the lakes to move to new fields, and they are
now operatini; in Lake Superior. Severe penalties and rigid enforcement
of the law have compelled them to abandon their nefarious practices near
Krie, and good results will immediately show the wisdom of preventing

their use in any waters.

DIBECTI0N8.

The following directions are 8u])stantially those of the New York report,
which are applicable to our circumstances :

In delivering si)awn from the hatcliing-houses, the following rules must

be strictly observed : . , ^ , ,. ,

The y(iun»r fry of any fish we hatch can be obtained at either of the hatch-
ing-houses o^^ an order of any one of the commissioners. The eastern house
is at Marietta, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, John P. ('reveling, super-
intendent; the western hatching-house is at Corry, Kne county, Seth
Weeks, superintendent.
The means at the disposal of the commissioners are too small t.) justify

36

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

[Xo. 20,

the delivery of all the fish that are hatched at the expense of the State, but
the commissioners will do all they can. Where parties obtains orders, and
accompany the fish, the State will furnish cans for transporting them, but
which must be immediately returned by express, C. O. D., at the State's
expense.

Persons desiring fish will please state the name of person to receive fish,
location, kind of water, temperature, kind of fish— if any— already in the
stream or lake, and the nearest telegraph and railway stations.

Salmon trout are a deep lake fish, and not suitable for shallow, warm
streams.

Strawberry bass, also called grass bass, just introduced ; none for distri-
bution.

Black bass, during the months of September and October. Brook trout,
from February 20 to March 20 ; these should be placed in small spring riv-
ulets which supply the main stream.

No man should go to sleep while transporting fish, and leave them alone
while in the cans, as it will be sure death to the fish.

Water in the cans containing the lish requires constant .-v rating with a
plunger, which accompanies the cans, or the water must be renewed, as di-
rected by the superintendent, on delivery, who will give full directions as to
the management of the fish during transportation.

Carp can be obtained in limited numbers on application to Professor
Spencer F. Baird, at Washington, D. C.

Six twelve-gallon cans filled with fish are all that one man can manage or
take care of. Milk cans are the kind used for the carriage of all kinds of
fisli. A twelve gallon can will hold six thousand whitefish, or four thou-
sand salmon trout, or five thousand brook trout, or from ten to twenty
adult fish, as black bass, <^-c., according to the size.

All communications must be addressed to either of the commissioners or
superintendents. Those from tlie eastern part of the State to JI. J. Beeder,
Easton, or 0. W. Miller, Wilkesl^arre ; from t!ie middle, to James Duffv^
Marietta, Lancaster county, or John Hummel, Selinsgrove, Snyder county ;
and those from the west of the mountains, to Robert Dalzell, Pittsburgli, or
Benjamin L. Hewit, Ilollid.iysburg, Blair county.

The communications should describe particularly the waters to be
stocked, giving their names, locations, and size, and' stating whether the
ponds or streams have rocky or muddy bottoms, or have eel grass, fiags,
or pond lillies. The wall-eyed pike, rock bass, black bass, white fish, and
salmon trout are suited to clear waters with rocky bottoms. T»erch, carp,
and strawberry bass will do better on muddy bottoms, with fiags or jmnd'
lillies. State particularly what kind of fish already exist, so Uiat kinds
unsuited to each other may not be mixed.

Deposit all fish as near the head of the stream or lake as possible. Young
fish, if j)racticable, should be deposited at night, where large fish do not
feed so much, so that they may find hiding places before morning.

Leg. Doc] State Commissioners op Fisheries. &^

We cannot close this report without thanking the officials of the Penn-
sy^an a Central, Reading, Baltimore and Ohio, and other - r-ds of he
State for facilities afforded us in the rapid transporta ion of fish, ha^ng
«lwavs received thorough and prompt courtesies at their hands.
' U inrXally from^heir report, we are also indebted to tl- Ohio h«^
oommis^ioners ; and to Mr. Fisher for an exchange of cuts of several fish from
W Ze "^^ of which were drawn on wood from nature, and photo-
Ta h bTthe accomplished daughter of Professor Klipport, deceased Miss
rose hine^^^ engraved by ^' Riches ; " and also to Mr. Redding,

otlTont for the cut ff the California salmon, taken^rom a^ain ing
bv his son. Mr. Packer, curator of the Academy of Natu al Science ol
A rdelphia, extended valuable aid in photographing several original spec-
imens embraced in our illustrations, for which we extend thanks.
'Tfc^rse the public will appreciate the valuable paper -oin ^.ng en.
report the production of that eminent and distinguished naturalist, 1 lo-
Z:: K D.'cope, comprising a scientific and generic ^^^^^f^
all Pennsylvania fishes. This will commend it not onl to the readin
pubic and fish culturists, but it will secure for it attention as a reliable
rrferenc" on the subject of Pennsylvania ichthyology. The thanks of the
comnrsion are due to him for his valuable suggestions m other respects,
as well as his generosity in the way of remuneration for the work.
Verv respectfully, your obedient servants,

' * JAMES DUFFY,

Marietta,

H. J. REEDER,

Easton,
BENJAMIN L. HEWIT,

' HoUidayshvrg^

JOHN HUMMEL,

Selimgrove^

G.M.MILLER.

Wilkes- Barre^

ROBERT DALZELL,

Pillnhurgh,
State Commissioners of Fisheries.
To His Excellency Henry M. Hoyt, Governor of Pennsylvania,

Leo. Doc]

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

39

APPENDIX.

THE «SHIKG STMAMS or PEHUBTLVAiaA.

, , . iQ^Q thp following Circular was

Harrisbubo, Pa '

„f . . county, Pa.:

To the Bon ' ' Vi *^ fill in, the following blanks as far

S,r: You are rcs,«ctfully requested to fiU J the ^ ^^^„ ^,,^^,,^,4

as it may conveniently he in y-"' l^^w to aff";! reliable information as
advisable by the eomm.ss.on «. h "-'"^ ^^^^^^.^^nh, and the better to
to the character of the ^"'''""V ,.Knted To the waters. Many hundreds
enable them to send fish 'l-'«"^;^»P*;'Uv, already been furnished with
of miles of river coast w,thm ''; ^f/J^, „„ ,, J„ «,.y the movement

„e. tribes of edible ^^iT^s^TJ^^ ^o^^^^'^ 8— '»- ^ ^"" ^"''*"
should not be carried to an extent

measure of success." ^ \MES DVFFY,

HOWARD J. IIEEDER,

BEN. L. HEWIT,

Slate Commissioners of Fisheries.

And the queries were answered, as follows :

40

State Commissioners of Fisheries. fXo. 20,

FISHINO STREAMS

Counties.

Beaver,

Berkt, (N'o.
Berks, i Xo.

2,)

3,)

Bliilr,

Biick»i,

Citinbria,

Xaincs of Streams.

Heads of Streams.

Emptying Into ^ •J

Armstrong,

Crooke.l creek Allegheny river,

• "owanshannofk, . . (jq.

Heil Kank, jj^]

Mahoning treek, ... ,|q*

Kiiskiminitas, . ... (j©]

Big Beaver, Formed by Mahoning Ohio river, *. . .

and Shenango, at New

Castle.

Connoquencssing, . . . South-east part of But- Big Beaver, . . .

ler coiintv.

Little Beaver, South-west"p:irtof Law- Ohio river, . . .

rence countv.

Bedford,

Berks, (N'o. 1, )

Carbon, .

Raystown Branch, . . .
V<-llow creek, . .

Dininin^'s do, . . . .
I <ieorge'.< do. . . .

i And tiibutaries,

Srhuylklll river, . . .

Hay creek,

Monocacy,

Sixpenny,

Conestoga,

Allegheny,

Tulpehocken, ....

.Northkili.

Irisli or Plum creek, . .

S.huylkill river,

Ontelaunee,

-Mill creek,

Pine do

Furnace do

Saucony do

Stony run,

Reservoir, . . . . .
Juniata, . . ...
PIney creek, .....

Clover do

Bell's run

Tipton run, . .

F<ir)t of KIght stream, .
Bald Kagle creek, . .

Arrli spring

Beaver dams

Roaring springs, . . .

Bot's creek,

Perklomen, ....

Tohickon

Veshamlny,

Durliam, '.

TInicum,

PItcock,

South Fork, ...

Chest creek, . . .

flearrteld do

('<>n<-mangh.

About 12 streams, the

headwaters of Siisfjue-

hanna.
P<dio Poco and bram-heg.
Mud run,

Hickr)ry run,

Mahoning creek,

And other small streams,

Allegheny mounlains, .
Dunnlng's do.
Allegheny do.

do. " do.

do. do.

Schuylkill county.
South-west part Berksco

do.
do.
do.
do.

Chester,

Octornro creek,
(ileiin's run, . .
Miller's run.
Buck run, . . .

Oley township
South-west part
Southern part

do.
Lebanon county,
Northern part Berksco.,

do. do.

Schuylkill county,
Lehigh county, ....
Berks counlyj . . .
do.
do.
do. ....

do.

Blair county,

ilo.

do. ....

do. ....

do.

do.

do.

Centre county, . . .

Blair county,

do.

do,

do.
Bedmlster township, . .
Bucks county, ...

do.

do.

do. . . . . .

do.
From one to six miles of
Kbensburg, do.
do. do.

do. do.

do. do.

Monroe county and Car-
bon county. do.
do. do.

do. do.

do. do.

•Juniata, . . .
Ravslown branch,
do.
do.
do.
Delaware river,
Schuylkill river,
do.
do.
Susf|uehanna river,
Schuylkill river,

do.
Tulpehocken, .
Schuylkill river,
I>elaware river,
S<-huyIkill river,
Ontelaunee,

do. . .

do. . .

do. . .

do. . .

•Juniata, . . .

!Sn><|uehanna,

Juniata, . .

do

do. ....
do, ...
do. . .

do. ....
do. . . .

do

Reservoir, . . .

do,
Delaware river,
do.
do.
do.
' do.

do.
Conemaugh, . .
do. . .

do. . .

KIsklminilas, .
Susquehanna, .

Lehigh river,
do.
do.
do.
do.

Dimensions,

u

41

s

M

fi

1

c

<s

xs

i

1

.^

«C

■^

M.

w ^

C

^

a

V

■^

^

>i

ss

-N

flO 100

13 -10
18 23

14 I 18

10

12

6

2

S

230
12
20
H
15
13

21 1.50
10 100

25
4
5
6
5
•3
3

80
8
8
7
7
6

10
6
9
8
«

20

45
10

14

I 10

I 10
I 18
3to5

8
10
16

Lancaster county, . . . Susquehanna river, 30

South side Chester Valley Octoraro creek, i 5

Lancaster county, . . . <io. . .j 5

I do, • • • Brandywlne, . . . , 10

80
20
20

ao

20 300 10

23 .30 4
15 30 2

2i

34

2
1
2
2

20

2

230

4

SO

3

4

n

S

2

7

2

3

n

3

u

i

15

20O

H

20

2

25

8

16

2

12

2

15

2

12

8

12

2

10

2

16

8

10

2

3
3
2
8
U

n

2
3
8

?

i

1

KS^

u:-.ij

i>-'

iM

M

ts

5

Leg. Doc]

OF PENNSYLVANIA,

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

41

Temperature Namcsof Edible Fi.h.

Polluted or not by
Tanneries, etc.

Ueinarks, and Name of Authority.

T!

■\Varm, ■

I Sun-fl.h, bass, peroh. Are not,
sui-ki-rs, pike, and
cat-Bsh.

b^;^r-£.vrrATr.".'i"?'° •"■

r

do.

do.

Cool,
do.
do.
do.

Bass, cat-nsli, salnr

i on. suckers, red

horse, and their

' varieties.

I Trout, black bass,
suckers, eels, and
cat-tlsh

Oe.o,.U,r,^-f^ •'SK.lI'iSJrnS^ESH

tet blgl.. »«*VJlU ten* ■"■"<>''"'''>
on the dan.>. The *_»""'„„,, i^ass, as

J. E. NOBLE.

the two lower pools
of the Bljt Beaver,
where tanneries,
pas works, and
manufactories pol-
lute the water.

Temperate, .
do.
do.
Cool.

Temperate,
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
Cool,
do.
do.
do.
do.
Warm,
60^.
Cold, 53 \

do.
Cold, flO°.
Cool, 55°.
do. 80°.
do. S0°.
do. 49^.
Warm. 80°.
Cool. 49°.
do.

chubs. 1 i

Thl. only .".;'"^-^i-,V''Sr-"" '"'
of the county .-•^^o• "• ""^

Cat-fish, eels, pike,
suckers, trout, sun-
fish, chubs.
Suckers, pike, trout,
! cat-tlsh, sun-tlsh,
I chubs, eels.

Are not.

Schuylkill from sul-
phuric a<ld and
dirt from coal. The
others are not.

The creaks and run. are spring water, fresh
andcool.-S.J.SMiTU.

I

Bass, cat-fish, eels.
Lake Erie suckers,
rock bass, sun-tlsh,
pike, brook trout,
suckers, &c.

Reservoir and Uoar-
mg springs from
paper-mills ; Tip-
ton r»iu from saw-
mills: Juniata from
tanneries and lime |
kilns. The others,
are not.

Commoncreekflsh, . Arenot,

57° F.
do.
do.
do.
do.

Cold,
Temperate.

do.

do.
Cool.

50° F.,
do.
do.
d«.

Blackbass, cat-fish To a very
trout, perch, eels, tent.
Bun-rtsh, suckers,
chubs.

Black bass, suckers, Are not,
trout, white chub,
cat-fish.

small ex-

Black bass, pickerel,
pike, mullets, cal-
llsh, fall-fish.

Are not.

Most of the V'7;r. verrbrf"dJscrTpUon:
tloned. but with ''.y*;.?,, ;[.„ • ia,.e.l In the

l^:^ny.^'B:\fo\^^.-->-

T,ere arc ---'l^^-^^^.J^^I^S.^^

^;;:=r;ir"!n'«p^fSr!:ro^
5;;;;S:::l^;r;:tStrt:ilu,nd;ed black

baS8.-Jo.INVEMA»N.

The roho Poco and ;--'•- ,*;r,e^S?;
well slocked ««|'»^ ,7;"^' ,t ig a natural
stream wai.ts "t','-^'' ;% /and ^mall go
t.rcedlng pla<e. ''"»„ '*;^' "",,ai frv are

i!;v-!:;riar;^.v"!^^^""'^^"""^'

remedy this.-.!. O.FKiiN.
John a. Uk\xolu8.

42

State Commissionirs op Fisheries. [No. 20

fishino streams of

L.O. Doc] SXAT. COMMISSIOHEHS 0, FiSHEBI.S.

PENNSYLVANIA-Con«n«cd.

48

Counties.

Clarion,

Clinton.

Cumberlancl,

Delaware,

Elk.

Erie,

Forest,

Fulton, . . .

Indiana, . .

Lackawanna,

Lebanon, . . .
Lehigh, . . . .

LuKerne, .

Name of Streams.

Heads of Streams. Emptying Into

Hemlock,

Susquehanna,

Balil Baffle,

Fishing creek,

Youngwoman's creek.
Beech creek. Cedar
run, Chatham, McEl-
hatans, etc.

Coiioiloguiuet creek,

Yellow Breeches creek, .

Big spring, Letort spring

Silver spring. Cedar run,

Cobl)'s creek,

Darliy do

Crum do

Uidlev do

Chester do

Hook do. . . . . .

Clarion river, J

Spring creek, ,

Bear do. .

Little Toby, Mill creek,'
Elk creek, etc

Bennett's liranch, . . .

Sinneniahoning, . . .
Trout run & West creek,

French creek, . .

<'onneaut do

Klk do. ...

Clarion county.

Dimensions.

In the Alleghenv and
Bald Eagle mountains,
do.

do.
do.

do.

Not given, . . .

do. . .

do. ....

do.
In Chester county,

do. do.

do. do.

do. do.

do. do.

do. do.

AV. side Allegheny

do
do.
do.
do.
E. side
do.
do

do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.

mts.

Allegheny river, . . .

Tlonesta,

Salmon creek,

Hickory,

Minister,

I Boss run, . .

I Beaver, and others, .

Sideling Hill creek, . .

Aukwlck do. . .

Llcken do. . .

Patterson run

Big Cove, Brush, etc.,

Coneniaugli,

Black Lick

Two Lick,

Yellow creek,

Crooked do

(iarner's creek,
Legglfs creek, ....
Roaring brook, ....
Spring do. ...

In New York State
Crawford county,
Erie county, I'a.,

Pa.,

Mc-

and

Swatara,
(j'iitta)>ahilla,
Tulpehocken,
Snitz creek, .
Ontelaunee, .
Spring creek.

Falrnionnt creek,
Hunting do.
Lake do.

Not given,

do. , . .

do. . . , ,

do. ...

do.

do. . .

do. ....

Siding Hill, . . .
Cowen's Gap and
Con ncirs Cove, .
do. do.

do. do.

In Indiana county
Cambria county, ,
do. do.

do. do.

do. do.

Lackawanna county
do. do.

do. do.

do. do.

Not given,

At Lebanon,

Not given,

do.
Blue Mountain springs.
Upper Mllford, Lehigh
county.

Allegheny river.

Susquehanna river,
do. do.

do. do.

Susquehanna river,

do.
Conodogulnet creek
Yellow Breeches do,
Delaware river, . .

do. . .

do. . .

do. . .

do. .

do.
Allegheny river, .
Clarion river, . .

do.

do. . . i

do.
8lnnem.ahonlng, . , j
Susquehanna river, '

do.
Allegheny river, . .

Lake Erie,

do

a

4)

*•

a

1

1

g

5

^

B

■o

A

5

^

S

12

50
20
»

650

200

80

ao

20

Cool,

Temperate,

do.
Cool,
do.

flsh.-G. I. ELDKED.

Bass, cat-fish, suck-
ers, sun-flsh, eels,
speckled trout, etc.

I Very little, except
with saw-dust.

20
16
19
18
18
IS

40
00
30
80
20
12

2
<
•i
4
6
3

V

Allegheny river,
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.

40

25

30

8

6

<

North mountain,
do.
do.

Juniata & Potomac,
do. do.

do. do.

do. do.

Allegheny river, .
do. . .

do. . .

do. . . j

do. I

I Susquehanna river,
Lackawanna river,
i do. , .

do. . . !

Susquehanna, . . . '

Swatara

Schuylkill, ....

Maiden creek.
Little Lehigh,

70

50
30

8
10
20
20

15
U

aoo

100
30

10
10
»0
20

75
•01

12

4

Susquehanna river,
do. . . .

do. ...

25
8

4

3

8

e

6

«

5

4
4
8
8
8
8

Temperate, .
uo.
do.
do.
Temperate, .
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
Cool, . . •
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
Temperate,
do.
do.

Temperate, .
Clear & cold,
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
Not given,
do.
do.
do.
do.
Not given,
do.
do.
do.
do.
Cold, . . .
do.

Cat-flsh, pike, mul- Not given,

lets, suckers, bass,

trout.
Cat.«sh, eels, chubs, By the refuse of eot-

rock bass, etc. j t^«%'o„,es.

Pike and trout.

By drainage from
coal mines and tan-
neries.

No signature for report from Cumberland
1 county.

very rapUlly.-C. R. Eakli .

Pickerel, \)lack bass. Not given,
rock bass.

M«scolonge,s„ckers Tanneries and oil re-
bass, salmon, andj flnerles.
brook trout.

Pike, trout, sun-flsh. Are not,
white bass, eat-tlsh,
suckers, etc.

Pike, Perch,8un.fl8h, Are not,
suckers, trout, cat- i
flsh.

I Trout, horned dace, | Arc not,
I suckers, eels.

Temperate,. Cat-flsh^rch, black

do.
do.
do.
Not given,
do.

bass. Trout, Cali-
fornia salmon.

Are not,

Not given,
do.

Are not.

Cold,
do.

Not given,
do.
do.

Are not.

KUKi> SHOUT. tributaries,

have generally eft «'Yle/hc„y.->'- ?•
Increasing In the AuegiiL»j-

WitEELEK.

A. C. DAVIS.

These fish are In "'"'»;;' r^rf^^^'^Suri-*

These streams ;«»;«, \»"">,tJr;t"wnshlp
well adapted to trout. ,"^'",, ,-^..g fed

o"u2"ee«».. '«<"""' "P ",' '■'•",V""::
I them.-JoHN B. SMITH.

4i

State Commissioners of Fisheries. |;,Vo. 20,

FISHING STEEAMS OF

COLTNTIES.

Names of Streams.

Heads of Streams.

Dimensions.

Emptying into =

Lycoming,

Mercer,

Mont

our.

I M_. Branch Susquehan

fine creek, .

Gary's do, .
! J<y»'oniin(r do. . .

Loyalsock do. .

Muncy ,|o. . .

Slienanuro river, . ,
Little Slienango, .
("rooked creek, . .
HIk run, ....

I'ymHtunIng, .
Slad»'"s run, ...
Sandy creek, , .
Clillesquaque creek.

na

Nortlianipt
P«ke, . . .

Potter, . .

Schuylkill,
Somerset, . ,

Venango, . .

Washington,

'on. I .Monocacy,

Hockend'aufjua, . .
Lehigh river, . .
Indian creek, .
Big Hnshkill, . .
Bright Brook,

Blooming Grove creek.

Vandermark Uo

And otiiers, ....

(ienesee, ] '

Allcghenv,

Kettle cr«'ek, . .' ',

Slnneinahonlng, .

I'Ine creek,

Locust .Mountain Ijrook.

w est Branch,

Castlenian'sriver,

Laurel Hill creek.

White's do.

Deder's run, . . .
Faint creek, ....
Queniahoning, . .
Siony creek, . . . .
Allegheny river, .' ." ,
Oil creek, . .
French do. . . . ' '
Sugar do. . . ' '
Big Sandv, .
I'lthole creek, , .' ' ."
Cherry run, .... *
Monongahela river, " '.

In the mountains of Ly-
coming county, do.
tlo. do.

do. iio.

, <•»• do.

Crawford county,
Mercer ,\o.

Crawford do.
Mercer do,

Ohio,

Mercer eountv,
do.

Colnmbla county, *

Westmoreland Loyalhanna & branches

Blue mountain. .

do, '

do.

do.
Pike county,

do,

do. . ]

do.

do. ; ■

Centre eountv.
do.
do.
do.

do. ;

Locust mountain.
Buck ridge.
Somerset count.v,

do.

do.

do,

do.

do.

do.
Potter county, .
Crawford do,
Erie ,|o. .

Crawfor<l do.
Mercer do.
Forest do,
Venango do
Laurel Uidge, Va.

Wayne,

York, .

Delaware river,

Lackawaxen river, .' ,'

Dyl)erry, ...
aupack, . ...

Middle ; . ■

Fi|uinunk, ...,*!..'
Shchawkin, . . . . | .*
Starrucca, . . ! i .
Codorus creek, ." ,'
Coniwago ilo. . ,
F'«l>lng do. . . ■
Plum <io. .

t^^ «lo, . . ' ' ■

J ellow Breeches creek,
Muddy ,1 '

Bunch 3;^:

Donegal township,

New York.

Moosicmountai
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
Maryland, . . .
Conewago nioun
do.
do.
do.
do.

Pigeon hills,

tains.

West Branch of the
Susquehanna river

do.

do.

do.
Beaver river, .
Shenango do.
Little Shenango, .
Shenango river, .

do.
Mill creek, . , .
Sandy lake,
Susquehanna river,

Lehigh river, .

do.
Delaware river,
Lehigh do.
Delaware river,

do,

do.

do.

do.
Not given, . . ,

I 'lo. ...

do.
do.
Mahanov c-eek,
Schuylkill liver,
VougIilo;fhenv river
Castlemau's ' do
PotoMiac ,io

Kaystown branch,
Conemaugh river.
Palm creek, . .
Vnemalioning, .
Ohio river,
I Allegheny river,

do.

French creek,

Allegheny river,

do.

do.

Ohio

30

2

100 ; 6

30 4

40 3

40 3

« 2*

160 6

40

3

8

2

10

2

80

2

60

4

ao

8

300

5

100 4

IM 4

60 3

40 3

80 3

»! 2

000 1

6

Klsklmlnltas.

Delaware bay, . .
Delaware river, . [
Lackawaxen river.

do, '

Pit u pack,
Delaware river,

do.

Susquehanna river
do. '

do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.

20

90

«
5
3
S
2
4
8

a

3
3
8
2
2
4
3
2

LiG. Boc]

PENN8YLVANIA-Con«in«e^i

State Commissioners of FiSHEUiES.

45

Temperature Namesof Edible Fish,

Polluted or not by
Tanneries, etc.

Remarks, and Name of Authority.

Cat-flsh, eels, chubs,
pike, black bass,
salmon, trout.

Black bass, pike, and
I speckled bass.

and unsigned.

t,r''.:* i"?---?^ «" •'^■^ *■"" '■'•"

Warden.

Are not,

Icat-tish. pike, eels,
8un-rtsh.

Suckers, pike, trout,
cat rtsh, eels.

Black bass, suckers,
pike, perch, trout,
I eels.

, I Brook trout, chubs,
I eelB, etc.

Partially by
1 nery.

' Ave not, . .

tan-

Tbe Blooming Grove
creek by taunerlc!*.
The others are not.

Arc not.

iK"aandc;.t..\>^:-i|^,^^

I Black bass, spe.kled , Are not,
1 trout, chul.s, eels, |
sun-«sh, etc. I

well stocked ^*»«'\/ ."^ _c. A. SMITH,
perch, eels, cat-ttsh, etc, ^. ^

bass. No signature.

1 rvrilK K COMlY.

Yellow bass, suckerf,

will-eyed salmon,

i pike, sun-llsU, cat-

I ll»h.

Not given.

Allegheny river an«l
,)il creek by oU
rellnerles; Pltliole
creek bv oil wells,
etc. The others are
not.

I Coal dirt,

Cold suckers, 8un-«sh,etc.

Trout, black b:iss
pickerel, cat-tlsb,
percb. eels, chub^,
suckers, 6Hn-ll>b.

and tan
Tlw She
llliwkln Is pure.

Coal dirt
', nerlts.

Bass, pike, cat-ftsh,
carp, eels, suckers,
chubs, etc.

Paper-mills, tanner
Ivs. ore washings,
etc.

• I ».itii trout and bass many

'"r'"'ZW uV^gunv Vt very flue «sh
\\\ have n tb. ;*"'f'' • verv scarce.

' •;r;v:r ;X.: w'^b 'bo^and line bct^n.
{i^y;;^;;'!"^?::;^'^" the interior of the

--^^'^S!rVs^^rK"K-•«-"v

t!^'"t-^;.:;;.i^!;VS-.. to m acres in
I Numer..us >;''*';^ ' 'J „, n.^.g^. n^h more or

' ="•'•* »J^" '^'"m , tH t tr „.t culture have
Us... Some atten.ts. Ill ^ ^ „^.,„vool..

SHH^r-^s^sr"'

,1. V. WKIST.

G, v.. SlllCKVVOOD.

46

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

[No. 20,

Leg. Doc]

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

47

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State Commissioners of Fisheries.

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State

C0MMIS8IONEE8 OP FISHEEIBS.

53

64

State CoiMmissioners op Fisheries.

[No. 20,

California Salmon, (Sahno Quinnat.)

In the autumn of 1878 some 10,000 California salmon fry were placed in
Mr. James Duffy's pond, at Marietta, to be cared for until they should grow
large enough to care for themselves. On November 12, 1880, a sufficient
flood being in the Susquehanna river to secure their safety against fish-
baskets. The water was drawn off' the pond, and it was found that about
5,500 of the salmon were alive, and from eight to ten inches in length.
They were carefully removed, hauled to the river, and liberated.

Description.— \iY\»\\t silver color on side and belly ; dark green on back;
about twent^Mive months old.

There are now at the hatching-house 200,000 brook trout eggs. Prof.
Baird has very kindly promised us some eggs of the Kennebec salmon,
land-locked salmon, and California trout. The supply of eggs is limited^
and we cannot say how many we sliall obtain.

On hand for Distribution.

Black bass, (micropterus mimoides,) 300

German carp, (cyprinus carpio,) 70O

In the Ponds aa Spawnera.

Brook trout, three and four years old, . .

Brook trout, two years old,

Brook trout, one year old,

California trout, one year old, ....

m all

200

2,800
3,000
1,500

7,500

I am, gentlemen,

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

JOHN P. CREVELIXG,
Superintendent of Eastern Hatching-House.
To the Honorable the State Commissioners of Fisheries^ Harrisburg, Pa.

LEO. Doc] State Commissioners op Fisheries.

55

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56 State Commissionebs op Fisheries. [No. 20,
DISTRIBUTION OF PISH AND FRY— Continued.

Egg* and Fry in Western Hatching-Houae, (not reported In 1878.)

teb. 10, 1879. Brook trout (/S./on^i'naWs) eggs, 200,000

" California salmon (iSf. gutnnai) fry, 30,000

" Land-locked salmon (5. sefeag^o) fry, 12,500

" Brook trout (S. fontinalis) fry, purchased of R.

Brennen, 150,000

Total, 392,500

stock of Fish on band in Western Hatching.Houae.

Feb. 10, 1879. Brook trout, (S./on<inaZ2s,) 2,500

" Lake trout, (iS. namai/cMs/i,) one 3'ear old, . . . 10,000

" Do. do. five years old, ... 100

" Land-locked salmon, {S. sebago,) 2 000

Total, 14,600

Fig. 12. Cyprinus carpio-L. from Austria, much reduced.

and Kner. See p. 90.

From Ileckel

Leg. Doc]

State Commissioners op Fisheries.

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68

II

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

RECAPITULATION.
Whole number of Flih and Pry Planted.

[No. 20,

Brook tront, (S. Fontinalea,) ..
Lan<l-lock(d salmon, (S. Sebago,)
California salmon, (S. Quinnat,)
Lake trout, (S. Namaycuah,)

Total,

Lake trout, {S. Namaycush,) sold by order of Hon. B. L. Hewit, 991 fish
Received for same, $56 40. See vouchers.

Stock in Ponds and in Western Haldiing-Houae, December 14, 1880.

Brook trout, (S. Fontinalis,) three and four years old,
^O* <Jo. two years old, . . .

»(®* do. one year old, ....

"°' do. last spring hatching, . .

Number on hand, . .

Lake trout, («. AVimoycMsft, ) six years old," '.'.'.'.'.'.
"o- do. two years old,

Numljcron hand.

250

2,S00

800

500

45

l.OCO

rnllfornla salmon, (.V. Quinnat,) two vpnrs oU\, .

California mountain trout, l.ist spring's hatchlnK, .'

Land-loc-ked salmon, (.V. *e6rtfifo, ) last spring's hatching

Oermantarp, cCVy>r(«M» Carpfo,) one and a half vear« oid,

Whole number of tlsh at Western hatching-house,

4,050

1,016

500

700

260

25

6,570

EggH in Western Hatdiing-llouse.

Brook trout (S. Fnntinnlia) eggs,
Lake trout (S. Kamaycuah) eggs, .

Total number of eggs,

210,000
10,000

220,000

Fifty thousand lake trout enrols have been taken, but only 10,000 can be
hatched. The egjrs from domesticated lake trout are not as good as those
obtained from the trout of the lakes.

All of the above reports for the years 1879 and 1880 are respectfully
submitted to the honorable Board of State Commissioners of Fisheries for
Pennsylvania by

Your most obedient servant,

SETH WEEKS,
Superintendent Western Hatching- House,

Leg. Doc]

State Commissioners op Fisheries.

59

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

Philadelphia, January i, 1881.
The Honorable Commissioners of Fisheries of the State of Pennsylvania :
Gentlemen : I have the honor to submit a descriptive and systematic ac-
count of the species of fishes known or supposed to exist in the waters ot
Pennsylvania. It is hoped that by its aid it will be possible for many per-
sons to become acquainted with this portion of the animal population of
our State, who have not hitherto had the opportunity to do so, and that
everv person mav be able to ascertain the character and names of the spe-
cies of fishes found in the waters of his vicinity. In preparing this review
I h'lve brouo-ht to bear an acquaintance of twenty years with the subject,
and investigations into the anatomy and characters of the species, coveT-
in- an equal length of time. Although additions to the list will yet be
made, especiallv in the western part of the State, the present report will
be found to embrace by far the greater number of species.

In preparing this work, I have employed the system proposed by myself
in 1871, which has been largely adopted in works on the subject, tor de-
scriptions of the species, I have relied extensively on Professor D. S. Jor-
dan's Vertebrata of Eastern North America, second edition, even m the
case of genera which I was first to characterize. This has been done be-
cause his descriptions are short and popular, and also because his kiiowl-
edcre of their nomenclature is sui,erior to my own. I have also derived ma-
tertal aid from Doctor D. H. Storer's report on the fishes of Massachusetts.
The fi-ures are, in part, copied from the latter work, and from Khppart s
report^o the Ohio Fish Commission for 1875-6, and they are, m part,

original.

I am, very respectfully,

Edward D. Cope.

GO

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

[Xo. 20,

Leo. Doc]

INTRODUCTION.

In order to understand the deseriptions of fishes contained in the follow-
ing pages, it will be necessary to give a brief account of the principal parts
of the structure of a fish. This will be restricted to the organs used in the
diagnoses that follow, and will refer more to the osseous system than to
any other.

1. THE MUCODEBMAL SYSTEM.

To this system belong the scales and fin-rays. The latter arc attached
to the peripheral parts (interspinous bones) of the osseous system, and
correspond with them in number in the higher fishes. In the Chondrostei,
and the extinct order Lysopteri, the fin-rays do not correspond with the
skeletal basis, resembling. In this respect, the lowest vertebrata, as the
lampreys. The fins are first, the unpaired ones, the dorsal, the caudal, and
the anal; and second, the paired fins, the pectoral and ventral, which are
attached to i)arts of the skeleton homologous with the basal portions of
the fore and hind limbs respectively, of land vertebrates. The rays are of
two kinds, osseous and cartilaginous. The osseous are undivided and gen-
erally acute, and are hence called. spines. Tlie cartilaginous, or soft rays,
are generally split lengthwise once or twice, and are divided into se: tions
by transverse joints. The numbers or the fin-rays are important as defin-
itions of fish species.

The scales are either true scales or shields. They are ossifications which
lie between the true skin and the ei)idermis, and their anterior borders are
generally received into pockets of the former. True scales are either
ganoid, cycloid, or ctenoid. The first named are smooth-edged, and are
covered with a layer of a dense substance called ganoine. A few living
and many extinct species possess them. Cycloid and ctenoid scales do not
exhil)it ganoine ; the former have smooth free edges, while the latter have
rough points or bristles on the margin, and corresponding roughness of the
body surface.

There is a row of tubes or pores along the side, from the head to the
base of the caudal fin. Certain nerves terminate in "buttons" within
these tubes, and the structure is supposed to be an organ of sense.

Fig. 1. Oroniatt nigrilabris, Cope; a blind Sihirid. Op. operculum;
Pop. pr?operculum ; Ioi>. interoperculum. D. dorsal fin ; Ad. adii)()se-dor-
sal fin ; C. caudal, A. anal fin ; l\ pectoral, and V. ventral fins ; LI. lateral
line.

State Commissioners op Fisheries. 61

2.dige8tive system.

This system includes in f.shes, a mouth eavity with its teeth, <^'>vb>^S»^,

stomach intestine, liver, and pancreas. Tl.e stomach '^ ^"-''^^^J™-

ple ba.', curved more or less abruptly at it intestmal or pyloric extremity.

There'll ftenuently blind tubes, or c«ca, extending from it, which may

be shov o ■ long, few or many. They arc exceedingly numerous m some

0 tt SaLonidi The intestine is very long in herb vorous fishes and

short in the carnivorous. In Chondrostei, SelachU, and various others it

contains a more or less complete septum, which is horizontally extended

at" nTpoint o' -ction, but winds spirally from one extremity of the bowel

to the otlier. ^ EESMEATOBTr SYSTEM.

This wliich originates in all vertebrata, as a diverticulum from the di-
Jt^ svstem, is verv little develope J in tlslies. It is in most of them a
C 0 sac t^ie swim Madder. In some fishes it is wanting, while ,n some

of the low;r Hyopomata its walls are more or less divided into coai^e cells.

These a e very numerous in the Lepidosteid^ and the Crossopteryom.

Biood i^ierat^l to a limited extent in this org.an, but the resp.r.atoiy func

ton of nslU is, as is well known, performed by the hyoid apparatus ol the

bony system, and its appendages.

4. cieculatory system.
The heart of fishes primarily consists of only two chaml,crs, an .auncle
and a ventricle, each of which is represented by two divisions m higher
: :;i. Besides these, fishes have an enlarged M-e at the p.n^ o
entrance into the auricle of the venae cavae, which is called the sinus ven
03 r ■nice is also a fourth chamber usually present, whicli forms the
ba ; part of the aorta immediately after leaving the ventricle, which s
caltd lie bum. arteriosus. Its walls in the CroMO«ia and CT n-
7rostei are muscular, so that it •' forms part of the pulsating heart ((,«n-
, ther ) Tl.e families of the Actinopterous orders, Ginglymod.an<X Haleco-
In /a- present the same characters. In these cases its interior wall sup-
Z' a .1 "iber of valves, which vary very much in number and form In
Vllnoi thev are confluent lengthwise. In most Actmopterous fl hes
the wX of the bulbus are not muscular, and there are only two valves
which are placed at its base.

e. OSSEOUS ststem.

The skeleton of fishes presents many peculiarities as compared with that
of otiur ier«e6ra<a. the principal of which are seen in the limbs and in the
hvoiiawli^tus. A list of the elements is here given, and reference may
be had to Fig. 2, for their recognition.

Fo ;-onvenience,tl.e skeleton may be considered in three divisions : the
skull tl». vertebral column, and the scapular and pelvic arches The first
*d second consist of segments, and each segment consists of a superior
Td inferior arch and a centrum or body. Each of these arches consists of
siratc elements and of appendages ; the latter of which may be superior,
lateral, or inferior.

62

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

[No. 20,

A. Vertebrae.

Superior arch— Elements ; neurapophysis ; neural spine ; interneural bone •
basilar interneural. . '

/n/enor arc/i—l)iapophysis; ribs; haemal spine ; interhaemal bone ; bas-
ilar mterhaeraal bone, (the ribs in the abdominal region ; the haemal spine
and interhaemal bones only in the caudal region.)

B. Skull.

The first segment is the posterior part of the skull ; the fourth termi-
nates the muzzle.

First segment ; superior arch. Exoccipital bone; supraoccipital ; body
basioeeipital. Inferior arch ; superior pharyngeals ; superior branchi-
hyals ; inferior branchihyals ; basal branchihyals ; basihyals ; appendices •
urohyals and branchial processes. '

Second segment; superior arch; parietal; pterotic; periotic bones;
6orfy, para sphenoid; inferior arch; hyomandibular ; stvlohyal-
ceratohyal; glossohyals. ^i?pe«rfices, branchiostigal rays ; o'percu'
lum; suboperculum; in teroperc ul um.

Third segment; superior arch ; frontals, postfrontals ; body, para-
sphenoid; inferior arch, metapterygoid, preoperculum quad-
rate ; symplectic ; articular, a n g u 1 a r , c o r o n o i d , s p 1 e n i a 1 d e n -
t a r y . '

Fourth segment ; superior arch. Nasal; ethmoid ; 1 a c h r y m a 1 • body •
vomer; inferior arch; prefrontal, maxillary, premaxilJnry ;'a79»en-
dices; malar, palatine, mesoptery gold, pterygoid, ecto-
pterygoid. ' "

The preceding classification of the bones of the skull does not take into
account their different origins, whether it be within the cranial cartila<a.s or
the membranes which enclose them. This difference is indicated by the
typography, the names of the membrane bones being s p a c e d . It is true
that cartilage bones were represented in primitive yertebratcs by corre-
sponding membrane bones, an.l that the former are probablv derived from
from the latter by a process of deepening of the positions of the centers of
ossification.

C. Arches.
The arches have three branches, one superior and two inferior The
limbs are appendages arising at the point of union of these parts.

1. Scapular arch ; superior branch ; scapula ; inferior arches ; anterior •
posttemporal ; epiclavicle ; clavicle; posterior; coracoid, precoracoid

postcoracoid ; interclavicle ; appendices ; propterygium,mesoptervgium •
metai>teryguim ; basilar pectorals. ' '

2. Pelvic arch; superior branch; ilium (wanting in fislies); inferior
branch; anterior, pubis, (wanting in most fishes) ; posterior, ischium
(absent in fishes) ; appendices; femur tibia and fibula ; the last two rep-
resented by one or two basilar ventrals ; tarsus, represented by basilar
ventrals. *

Leg. Doc] State Commissioners of Fisheries. «8

Fig. 2, Skeleton of a percoid fish. The letters are abbreviations of the
names of the bones above given.

NSp, Neural spines; IN, Interneural bones; ^Sp, H.W spines LU,
lnte:h.;mal bones ;i2, ribs; Soe, Suproccipital ; PT,V^^U.^l ^^J^^
clavicle; CZ, Clavicle ; Sc, Scapula; 5 P, Peetoral basiais , ^^' Corac^^^^^^
the slender bone behind it is postcoracoid ; Op, operculum ; Sop, Suboper-
cuum /op, Interoperculum; Pa, parietal; Hi/m, hyomandibular ;^,
;: drate : ft' the right hand upper corner is situated the ^^^^^^,
Ceratohyal; Pr, Branchiostegal rays ; P^y, Jasihyal ; pfl-y, Glossoh>al .
C^CurobVal;Vr, frontal; So, Suborbital; An, angular; D, Dentary;
PmjX^^^^^^rr. if., maxillary; Pa^ palatine; Pt, Pterygoid; F,

^Ti'g! 3, Oblique vertical view of the skull represented in Fig. 2.

64

State Commissioners op Fisheries.

[No. 20,

THE FISHES OF PENNSYLVANIA.

Under the popular term fishes, a great variety of animals is included.
While these are all members of the grand division of the vertebrata, and
occupy the lowest position in it, they do not all belong to the same class.
Three classes are recognized by zoologists among the vertebrates usually
called fishes. The first class includes only the sand lances, which are the
lowest of the vertebrata. Their skeleton is membranous ; they have no
brain proper, but only an enlargement of the anterior part of the spinal
cord ; and their heart is only represented by a pulsating tube. In the
second class the preceding usual characters of vertebrata are present, but
they differ from the true fishes and all the other classes, in the absence of
the lower jaw, and of the scapular and pelvic arches, and as a consequence
of the limbs. This class includes only the lampreys. The third class in-
cludes the true fishes. The definitions of the three classes ma}' be con-
trasted as follows :

A. Notochord extending to the anterior extremity of the body ; no skull,
brain or renal organs ; heart, a simple tube.

1. No auditory organs; liver saccular; no lower jaw, limb arches nor
limbs . . Leptocardii,

B. Notochord ending behind the pituitary fossa ; skull, brain and renal
organs present.

2. Neither mandible nor limb arches ; nasal sac single. . . Dermopteri.

3. Mandible and liml) arches present ; two nasal sacs Pisces.

Representatives of the second and third classes are found in the waters

of the State of Pennsylvania. The few known species of the Leptocardii
belong to two genera, Branchiostoma and Epigonichthys. They are found
on the shores of all oceans, and although aerating their blood by a bran-
chial api)aratus, burrow in the sand on the edge of the water. Their struc-
ture throws great light on the systematic relations and origin of the
vertebrata. No species has yet been found in fresh waters, so that the
class cannot be included in the fauna of Pennsylvania.

DERMOPTERI.

The species of this class are few in number at the present geological
epoch. The}' abound in fresh waters, as well as in some parts of the ocean.
Without lower jaw, they do not take food in the manner possible to other
vertebrates, but perforate the bodies thej- devour, by suction. The mouth
is a wide funnel-shaped basin, whose interior is surrounded by conical
horny bodies, which perform the function of teeth. While attached to their
prey by this suctorial mouth, the teeth rasp the flesh. The lampreys are
destructive to fishes, but it is only the large species which inflict any seri-
ous loss.

Fig 14 Carasslm auralus-h. From the Schuylkill river-one half nat. size.

See p. 90.

Fig. 15. KfAemigomis chrysoleucus-UMch. One half nat. size. From Storer.

See p. 92.

Leg. Poo.] State Commissioners of Fisheries. 65

In all the known members of this class, the nasal chamber opens by a
single short tubular orifice on the middle line of the top of the head.
There are two orders of the Dermopteri, as follows : , , .^

1 Water conducted to the branchiae through a distinct tube below the

Hyperoarti.

"''2^Water conducted to 'the branchiae directly from the oesophagus.

Hyperotreti.

The first of these orders is the only one found in the waters of the State.

HYPEROARTI.— Xawpre2/s.
Our lampreys belong to a single family, the Petromyzontid^, which is
represented bv two genera. These are distinguished, as follows :

Dorsal fins two, nearly or quite distinct; median tooth bicuspid.

Petromyzon.

Dorsal fin one, continuous with the caudal ; median tooth tricuspid—

Lampetra.

PETROMYZON— -LtMn.

The species of this genus are long and slender, and have the head but lit-
tle larcrer in diameter than the body. The mouth looks obliquely down-
.ards:and has a widely expanded border. This can ^^ contracted from
the sides so as to leave a narrow longitudinal opening. The eyes aie cox-
erod by a thickened cornea, and are not bounded by eye-lids or any inver-
sion of the integument. There are seven branchial fissures on each side.

In their early stages the species of this and the following genus present
various peculiarities, especially in the mouth, and in reaching maturity pass
through a metamorphosis. Before this history of this change was known
the krvic of Petromyzon were thought to be adult ammals of a dis met
genus, which was named Ammoc<.tes, The larv.x. in this early stage have
the minute eves sunk in fossae on the upper surfoce of the head, and the
branchial openings are connected by a longitudinal slit. There isa distinct
„,,,,,. lip on each side of the inferiorly placed mouth, and the niner wall of
the l.tter is closely set with fringes of filaments. This is significant, since
the mouth of the inferior type, Branchio.toma. is fringed in a somewhat
similar manner throughout life. As growth advances, the eyes become lat-
eral and more distinct, and the lateral lips become fused with the posto o
border of the mouth. The fringes shorten into papillae, and the b anch.al
orifices become slit.like,and lose their connecting groove. Finally t.ie teeth
appear on the summits of the still shorter papillae, and the external uro-
^■enital organs assume the characters of the adult lamprey.
I'KTHOMVZON MAUiNUS. Liuu. {Great Sea Lamprey. P. americanus

tieaueur.)
Ro.eml.lbs the next, b..t larger, with a shorter head which is but little
lo„...r . ban the " chest," (=s„ace oceu,,ie.l by the branchial oiK-mngs ;) eo . . ,
olive brown, inottkMl with black; length, thirty to forty niches. Manne
ascen<ling rivers ; not uncommon in the Delaware and Susquehanna, and
tlieir triliutaries. Our largest lamprey.
5 Fish Rei'.

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State Oommfssionebs of Fisheries.

[No. 20,

LAMPETR A— Gray.
{Ichthomyzon and Scolecosoma Oirard.)

Lampetra fluviatilis — Linn. {Large Black Lamprey.)
Head very large, longer than the " chest," six and a half times in length ;
depth about thirteen times ; body little compressed ; dorsal tins rather low,
distinctly separated ; eyes and mouth very large ; a depression between
eyes and snout ; a single bicuspid tooth in front of oesophagus ; mandibu-
lary plate curved, with about eight pointed teeth ; rest of mouth covered
with rather large teeth, disposed in oblique cross-rows, five or more in each
row; lips fringed. Length 12 inches. Lakes and streams Cayuga L., N.
Y., (Wilder) and E. ; properly a marine species. Also in Europe, (P. nig-
ricans, Les., the American form.) Several other Lampreys have heen de-
scribed from our eastern streams and coast ; but they are very doubtful.

Lampetra nigra, Raf. {Small Black Lamprey.)
Head moderate, longer than " chest," eight and a third in total length ;
depth, fourteen; body scarcely compressed, except behind; dorsal fins
rather high, slightly connected ; eyes large ; mouth rather small ; one tooth
with two cusps well apart in front of oesophagus ; mandibulary plate neary
straight, with about eight sub-equal teeth ; a few scattering teeth on sides
of mouth ; snout rounded ; dark blue-black, unspotted ; silvery below. L.
8 to 11 inches. Great lakes, upper Mississippi and Ohio valley, abundant
in many localities ; ascending small brooks in the spring.

Lampetra argentea, Kirtland. {Silvery Lamprey.)
Head quite small, shorter than " chest," about ten inches in length ; depth
nearly the same in adult ; body stout, compressed ; dorsal fin very high,
with a shallow depression; eyes distinct in adult, concealed in young;
mouth small, with inconspicuous teeth ; color ashy silvery, with numerous
small black dots ; larger ones above the gill openings. L. 12. Great lakes
and Ohio valle3\ E. to N. Y., frequent. Ammocaetes concolor Kirt, A.
aepyptera^ Abbott.

PISCES/

The fishes proi>er, include the sharks, chimeras, etc., as well as the ordi-
nary forms. Traces of their existence during the upper Silurian period of
geological time, have been found, which is earlier than the date of appear-
ance of air-breathing vertebrata. The first of the latter, the Batrachia,
have not been obtained from beds lower than the carboniferous period. At
the present time, the fishes are the most numerous class of the vertebrata,
ten thousand species being known.

There are at least one hundred and forty species of fishes in the waters
of Pennsylvania, of which eighty species are important as food. Thirty-
one species exist in the Delaware and its tributaries, which are either now
used as food, or will be at some future time. About the same number are
found in the Susquehanna, while there are forty-one inhabiting the AUe

Leg. Doc] State Commissionfrs op Fisheries. 6T

gheny and its branches. When we reflect that each female of these species
spawns several thousands or hundreds of thousands of eggs in a season, we
can readily estimate the great importance this crop might be to us as a
source of cheap animal food, were it cultivated to the extent of the capa-
city of our streams. That capacity in Pennsylvania is very great, for it
depends chiefly on the supply of food for fishes furnished by nature. This
is ultimately derived from a strong vegetation, either directly, or through
the insects which feed upon it, which sustain insectiverous, and indirectly
the carnivorous species. Ultimately, then, a productive soil is as much
the condition of fish production as of any other, and thus our State pos-
sesses, evidently, extensive advantages in this respect.

Some of these species migrate to salt water in autumn, and remain there
during the winter ; others descend the creeks to the rivers, and the rivers
to their deeper waters, and congregate in them during cold weather ; others
remain all winter in their usual haunts, burying themselves in mud, and
undergoing a kind of hibernation ; while some— for example, certain cat-
fishes-ldo not take even this precaution. With a few exceptions, on the ad-
vent of spring and the breaking up of the ice, they ascend to the upper
and clear waters, or to the gravelly bottoms, to deposit their spawn. The
exceptions are the eels and the trout. The former descend the rivers in
autumn, and deposit their eggs in salt water. The latter spawn in the upper
waters in late autumn, prior to their riverward— or in the case of the sal-
mon, seaward — migration.

Fishes are divided into four primary divisions by the peculiarities of
structure presented by their skeletons. These are as follows : *

I. Suspensorium continuous with the cartilaginous cranium^ with no
hyomandibular nor rudimental opercular bone ; no maxillary arch ; pelvic
bones present; axial series of fore limb shortened, the derivative radii
sessile on the basal pieces; axial series of hinder limb prolonged in

J HOLOCEPHALI.

male

This sub-class includes the Chimaerae, etc., and is represented by numer-
ous extinct, and but few recent species. The latter are all marine and
none therefore are included in the present book.

II. Suspensorium articulated with the cranium; no maxillary arch ; no
opercular nor pelvic bone.^; bones of limbs as in the last. Selacuii. .

The sharks, ravs, saw fish, etc., constitute the members of this sub-class,
and none of them enter Pennsylvania waters. Though the living spec4es
are numerous, a still larger number are extinct.

III. Suspen.^orium rudimental, articulated with cranium, supporting
one or more opercular bones; cranium with superior membrane bones ; no
maxillary arch; a median pelvic element; the limbs supported by seg-
mented unmodified axes. ...

There are but lew recent species of the Dipnoi, and they are confined to

the fresh waters of the Southern Hemisphere.

#See CopeTProoeedings, Ainericaii Philosophical Society, May,l877.

68

State Commissioners op Fisheries.

[No. 20,

Numerous extinct species are known from xMesozoic and Palaeozic form-
ations, especially those of the genera Gtenodus and Ceratodus.

I V. Hyomandibular and palatoquadrate bones articulated with cranium ,
supporting opercular bones ; a luaxillary arch ; no pelvic element : axes
of the limbs shortened^ the derivative radii sessile on the basal pieces. —

Hyopomata.

This sub-class includes a great number of existing fishes, and fewer,
though numerous extinct species. Many of the latter have been arranged
under a supposed order called Ganoidea, which the author has not adopted
in the form originally proposed. The primary divisions of Hyopomata are
indicated by the structure of the fins, of which there are three principal
modifications. These divisions form a regular and natural succession from
those which resemble the limbs of the Dipnoi^ and hence approach those of
other vertebrates, to the most specialized fins of the most typical fishes.

A. Derivative radii present in both limbs ; in the anterior supported by
an axial segment with one or more basal or derivative radii, forming a
peduncle ; in the hind limbs the derivative radii sessile on axial segment
Q^^ly .... Crossopterygia.

This tribe includes the only fishes originally referred to the '' Ganoidea,"
which, it appears to me, should be widely distinguished from the typical
fishes. They date from the Carboniferous period and are mostly extinct.
One family, the Polypteridse, remains, and is represented by a limited
number of species in the fresh waters of Africa.

B. Derivative radii few in the fore limb, sessile on scapula ; present in
hind limb, and sessile on axial segment. Ciioxdrostei.

This tribe includes the sturgeons, paddle-fish, etc., and is confined at the
present period to the fresh waters of the Northern Hemisphere. There are
numerous extinct species.

C. Derivative radii few in the fore limb, sessile on the scapula ; want-
ing or very few and rudimental on the hind limb, so that the dermal radii
rest on the axial element Actinopteri.

In this tribe we have the representative type of fishes of the present
geological age. Although the extinct si>ecies are numerous, they do not
constitute nearly so large a percentage of the whole as is the case Avith the
Chondrostei, the Crossopterygia, and the other sub-classes.

HYOPOMATA.

CHONDROSTEI.

The living Chondrostei have a persistent chorda dorsalis, which is sur-
rounded by the imperfectly ossified vertebral bodies. The ventral fins are
situated on the abdomen, and the vertebral column is not especially modi-
fied at its posterior extremity to support a caudal fin. The latter is at-
tached along the inferior edge of the gradually diminishing column, as in
the sharks, forming the type called homocercal. The radii of the fins do
not agree in number and articulate with their osseous supports, as in higher
fishes. There are two orders in this tribe, as follows :

Leg. Doc] State Commissioners of Fisheries. 69

1 A praecoracoid arch ; no symplectic bone ; premaxillary forming
mouth border ; no suboperculum nor preoperculum ; mesopterygium dis-
tinct; basihyalsand superior ceratohyal not ossified; interclavicles pres-
ent; no interoperculum nor maxillary; branchihyals cartilagmous

' SeZoc/»os<omi, the paddle-fish.

2 Similar to the last, but with interopercle, maxillary bones, and osseous
' ^^.j^ .^j ... Glaniostomi, the sturgeons.

ThVfiit order embraces the single family of Polyodontidae, the second
only that of Accipenserid^. In both, the osseous cranium is little devel-
oped. The basal and radial elements of the limbs, with the coracoids, are
not ossified.

SBIjACHOSTOMI.
POLYODONTIDAE— 5i>oon6t?/«.
Two genera of this family are known, Polyodon, from North America,
and Psephurus, from Eastern Asia. The former has a long, flat, spoon-
shaped snout, and numerous fulcra extending along the superior border of
the caudal f.n. The latter has a subyslindric snout, and a few very large
caudal f.iUra. Both genera are adapted for living in muddy bottoms, using
their lou- s.iouts for the purpose of stirring up and digging out their food.
POLYDON— Lacep. Spatularia S/iaw ; Planiroxtra Lea.
T»o,.v..i.0N folium, Lac. Duck-billed. cat : spoon billed sturgeon.
Snout uearlvone third of length; opercular flap reaching much beyond
pectorals ; fins all more or less, falcate ; color, gray ; D. 55 to 60 ; A. 56 ;
length, 5 feet or more. Mississippi and its larger tributaries, abundant ; a
sinlrular fish bearing considerable resemblance to a shark.

The moutli and gill openings of this fish are very wide, and the gill arches
are set with very numerous and elongate bristles or gill-rakers directed in-
wards The fisii stirs up the mud with its muzzle, and, taking enormous
quantities of the muddy water into its mouth, passes it through the fringe
of rakers, an<l out through the gill fissures. In this way it takes its food,
which is caught on the rakers, as the food of the whale is arrested by the
bristles of the whalebone. This food has been shown by Prof, lorbes to
consist of minute Crustacea of various species.

The Polyodon folium is common in the Allegheny river and other large
tributaries of the Ohio.

QLANIOSTOMI.

ACCIPENBERIDAE— Sturgeons.

The sturgeons are the largest of fresh .rater fishes, and are found in all
the waters of the Northern Hemisphere. Though of low organizatum as
compared with the typical fishes, they are of great utility to man, form-
incr an important article of food. They live preferably on muddy bottoms,
and derive their nourishment from the refuse organic material there found.

70

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

[No. 20,

Two recent genera only are known, and both of these are found in North
America, and in Pennsylvania. These are :

No spiracles ; bony bucklers completely enclosing tail ; Scaphirhynchops.
Spiracles present; bony bucklers alvvays distinct; . . . . Accipenser.

SCAPHIRHYNCHOPS— Gill. {Scaphirhynehus Heckel, preocciipied.)
Three species of this genus have been found in temperate Asia, and one
in North America.

Scaphirhynchops platyrhynchus — Raiinesque. (Shovel-nosed Sturgeon.)

Tail wider than deep, extending beyond caudal rays, and ending in a
filament ; snout nearly the form of a spade ; whole body rough with small
prickles; dorsal shield, 15 or 16 ; lateral shield, 40 to 46; abdominal, 10
to 13 ; all the shields roivgh and strongly carinated; the keel ending behind
in a spine which points backward ; size large ; Mississippi valley, from
Montana to Pennsylvania; Rio Grande, of Texas.

ACCIPENSEB-Linn.

The species of sturgeons are numerous, and it is not yet certain how
many inhabit the water of the United States. Besides the four named
below there are forms with few or no lateral bon}' shields, which are found
in the great lakes and Mississippi river. They have been thought to be
aged individuals of other species.

A. Marine species ascending rivers ; lateral shields, 22 to 23.

' Accipenser sturio — Linn.

Common Sea Sturgeon, Sharp-nosed Sturgeon — Snout pointed, half the
length of head: dorsal shields, 11 to 13; lateral shields, 26 to 31 ; D. 37
to 44 rays. Atlantic Ocean, south to Africa, and West Indies. (A. oxy-
rhynchus^ Mit., the American form.)

The common sturgeon is abundant in the lower parts of the Delaware
river, and great numbers of them are taken every year and brought to the
market of Philadelphia.

Accipenser brevirostris — Lesueur.

Blunt-nosed Sturgeon — Snout blunt, one quarter length of head ; dorsal
shields, 8 to 10 ; lateral shields, 22 to 28 ; abdominal, 8 to 10 ; I). 30 rays ;
skin with minute scattered prickles and stellate ossifications. Cape Cod to
Florida.

Like the A. aturio, this species is sold in the markets of Philadelphia and
adjacent cities. Numerous fishing boats are engaged in taking them in
strong nets, and the catch is often very large.

A A. Species of fresh water; lateral shields, 33 to 38.

*- Accipenser macuix)sus — Lesueur.

Rock sturgeon — Bony sturgeon — Snout pointed, nearly as long as rest
of head ; head 3^ in length of body ; bony shields large, close together,

Leo. Doc] State Commissioners of Fisheries. T1

13 to 16 in front of dorsal, 33 to 38 on sides, 9 or 10 on abdomen, all of
them rough and strongly radiated, with more or less hooked or incurved
tips" skin' rough; D. 37 to 45. Great lakes (?), Ohio nver, and south-
ward. Abundant in the Allegheny river.

^Accipenser rubicundus — Lesueur.

Red rturgeon-Lake st..rgeon_Head 4i in length ; eye 10 in head
nearly midway; dorsal scutes 16, (to base of D,) relatively small and
Ther distantVlateral scutes, 35; ventral scutes. 9; -"" ^1 \aS
becoming more so with age, rather shorter than rest of head; barbels
nTarer to end of snout than to eye; scutes relatively sma ler, smoother,
and less crowded than in the preceding; blackish, sides paler or reddish,
length, 2 to 6 feet ; D. 37. Great lakes and western rivers.

f he naked and semi-naked species above mentioned, are sometimes re-
ferred to this and the preceding species. They have received the names
A. serotinus, Raf, and A. cal«us. They are from the Ohio and the lakes.

AGTINOP TERI.
This tribe corresponds to the Teleo>tei of previous authors together with
a considerable part of the Qanoidei of Agassiz and others A study of the
skeleton shows that a number of the fishes formerly mc uded under the
Ltter head are only primitive types of ordinary fishes, -'h-t Jigreemen
in any marked characteristics by which they can be separated from them It
is true that some of these fishes are exceptional in some of the.r features
but they differ from each other in many of them, and agree with each other
in very few. I allude especially to the bony gars, the dog fishes, and

numerous extinct genera. . , , ^ • .i »„

Two great divisions of the bony fishes were perceived by Cuv.er and as
they are easily recognized, I retain them here. They have been called the
rhy»ocly>li and Phy>ostomi. The presence of the ductus pneumaticns
which characterises it, is always associated with the abdominal position of
ventral fins and with cycloid scales; and mostly with the presence of he
praccoracoid arch, the entrance of the maxillary bone into the border of he
mouth, and the non separation of the parietal bones by the supraoeeip.tal.
Yet none of these characters are precisely associated at the point of transi-
tion in each sub-division, for there are physostomous fishes with separated
parietals and ctenoid scales, (some Cyprinodontid.-i-,) and there are Phy-
soclysti with aMominal ventrals. Nevertheless, two prominent types stand
out in the Actinopteri, the Physostomi, and the Physocly St., which may

be considered as tribes. , , . t

Basilar segmentsof ventrals rudimental, position of Jins abdominal; parie-
tal bones usually united; swim bladder connected with the stomach or ae-
" , Physostomi

sophaqus by a ductus pneumaticus, • .'./,'

No ductus pneumaticus ; parietal bones separated by the supraoccipital ;

ventral fins asually thoracic or jugular ; no basilar segments, Physoclysti.

These divisions were called Malacapterygii and Acanthopterygn by

72

State Commissioners of Fisheeies.

[No. 20,

Cuvier, the names being based on a general peculiarity of the fins of the
species included. In the former or Physostomi, the rays of the dorsal tin
are generally soft or cartilaginous ; in the latter or Physoclysti. The an-
terio'r rays of the dorsal, ventral and anal fins are osseous. There are how-
ever many exceptions to this rule, so that it is only of general application.
Still less uniform is the other general rule, that the scales of spinous rayed
fishes are serrate or dentate on their fore edges, and those of soft rayed fishes,

smooth.

The Physostomi as the least specialized group presents more numerous
points of affinity to the lower divisions already reviewed, and precedes the
Physoclysti. This is also the order of their succession in geological time.

physostomi:

The following key will express the leading features of the orders of this

division.

I. A praecoracoid arch.

A. A coronoid bone.

Vertebrae opisthojlian, 3. Oinglymodi, the bony Gar.

Maxillary not transversely divided ; vertebrae amphica'lian.

4. Halecomorphi^ the dog fish.

A. A. No coronoid bone.

* No symplectic bone.

rterotic simple, anterior vertebrae with ossicula auditus ; supraoccipital

and parietals coossified,

5. Nematognathi^ the cat fishes.

Pterotic annular, including a cavity closed by a special bone ; parietals

distinct, vertebrae simple, G. /Sci/j^/jop/joH, the Mormyri.

** Symplectic present.

Anterior vertebrae coossified, and with ossicula auditus.

7. Plectospondyli^ the suckers, etc.
Anterior vertebrae similar, distinct, without ossicula auditus.

8. Isospondylij herring, etc.

II. No praecoracoid arch.
A. Scapular arch suspended to cranium.
B. A symplectic.

Pterotic and anterior vertebrae simple, parietal separated by supraocci-
pital . . . ii. Haplomi, pike, etc.

Anterior vertebrae modified ; parietals united ; pectoral fins.

10. Olanencheli, Electric eel.

B. B. No symplectic.

Anterior vertebrae simple ; a praeoperculum and maxillary ; no pectoral
fins 11. IchtJiyocephaliy J &\& cela.

A. A. Scapular arch free behind the cranium.
*A. Preoperculum.
A symplectic ; maxillary well developed ; no pectoral fins.

12. Holoslomif Symbranchi.

\

Fig. 17. Semotilus bullar is— liaf. From Packard. See p. 97.

Leg. Doc] State Commissioners of Fisheeies. t8

No symplectic ; maxillary lost on connate ; pectoral fins.

13. Enchelycephali, eels ^TO])er.

'^ * Preoperculum wanting or rudimental.

No symplectic, maxillary, nor pectoral fins ; no pterygoid.

14. Colocephali, Muraenae.

Of the above orders the Haplomi (pike, etc.) approach nearest the Phy-
soclysti of the families Opheocephalidae and Atherinidae,and the Holostomi
of the family Svmbranchidae, to the Physoclyst family of Mastacembelidae.
The affinities between these families is, in both cases, so close as to render
the distinction of the primary divisions in question hardly worth preserv-

In tracing the affinities of the Physostomi, I have pointed out the rela-
tion between the Chrondrostei and the Nematognathi, and between the
Ilalecomorphi and the Isospondyli. In each of these pairs the first named
is the structural, and probably genetic predecessor of the second. The
series commenced with the cat fishes may be continued into the Mormyn,
and then to the families of the Plectospondyli, where the series with altered
vertebrae and with ossicula auditus terminates.

The Characins have, however, considerable affinity to the Isospondyh,
especially in the type of their branchial bones. From the latter group we
pass to the Haplomi, and thence to the Physoclyst groups. The eel-like
groups from a special line. The Glanencheli have cranial characters of
the groups with modified vertebni,', with (Ins of the more typical eels. The
latter show a steady approach in some points to the conditions character-
izing the Chondrostei. The loss of the maxillary, of opercular bones, and
of pharygneal elements, reminds one of these, but in the loss of the pre-
maxiUary, and great development of the ethmoid, in the Colocephali, we
have features quite unique. The vertebral position of the scapular arch is
the only shark character they possess ; while on the other hand, the Ho-
lastomi are undoubtedly related to the Mastacembelus, a real Physoclyst
with spinous dorsal fin. These relations are as yet entirely inexplicable.

GINGLYMODI.

Parietals in contact; pterotic and opisthotic absent ; sympletic present.
Mandible with coronoid, opercular, angular articular, and dentary bones.
Basis cranii simple. Third superior pharyngeal bone small, lying on fourth ;
upper basihyal wanting. A prjecoracord arch. Vertebrae opisthecaoun.
Pectoral fins with mesapterygium and five other base elements.

One family, the Lepidosteidx, with heterocercal tail, cartilaginous prre-
coracord, one axial hyoid, three basal branchihyals, and the maxillary bone
sub-divided into segments.

LEPIDOSTEIDiE— 5ony Gars.

The bony gars form one of the marked features of the fish fauna of
North America. Although they resemble various extinct fishes of the
more ancient (paUvozoic) formations, they have little real affinity with

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State Commissioners of Fisheries.

[No. 20,

them. The family first appeared in the lower Tertiary formations (Eocene)
of Lurope and North America, and soon became extinct in the former
country.

The Lepidosteidae are covered with rhombic ganoid scales; there is one
dorsal fin situated far back ; and all the fin rays are cartilaginous and equal
in number to their supporting bones in the vertical fins. The dentine of
the teeth is thrown into deep folds.

There are two recent genera of the family, and two extinct ones. But one
of the former enters the waters of Pennsylvania. This is Lepidosteus, in
which the large teeth of the jaws are in one row.

LEPIDOSTEUS— iacfp.
Six or eight species of this genus occur in North America, east of the
Kooky Mountains, but two or three of which enter the limits of our State
i hey are not valued as food.

Lepidosteus ossEUs-Linn. (Gar Pike, Bony Oar, Bill Fish.)

1 "ff^ "^^^^>' 3 in length; depth nearly 12; snout more than twice the
length of rest of head ; eye nearly 2^ in distance to margine of preopercle
more than 2 in interorbite space ; ventrals mid-way between pectorals and
anal ; olivaceous, white below ; sides with obscure spots, more evident pos-
teriorly ; vertical (ins with distinct round black spots ; D. 7 ; A 9 • lat
line 64 to 66 ; length 2 to 5 feet. New York to the plains and south',
abundant in large bodies of water.

Two well marked varieties of this species, if not distinct species, occur
in the waters of the State. The larger, the Lepidosteus semiradiatus,
Agass. (L. crassus Cope,) is adundant in the Susquehanna, and the lower
waters of the Delaware. It is of robust proportions, has the face and oper-
cula rather short, and the scales on the anterior part of the body roughened.
1 he other form is the Lepidosteus h uronensis, Richardson, and is the species
of the lakes, and abounds in the Allegheny river also. Its head and oper-
cula are of more slender proportions, and the size is less. Tlie scales are
nearly all smooth, and the color of the body is plumbeous above, and white
below, and without spots.

The Lepidosteus productus Cope, a species intermediate between these
and the L. platystovius, is found in the western tributaries of the Missis-
sippi, and will probably occur in the Ohio.

Lepidosteus platystomus— i?a/. (Short-nosed Gar.)
Snout shortened, rather broad, about as long as the rest of the head
Depth 7 to 8 in length ; head 3.5 ; eye 10 times in head, three times nearer
opercular margin than end of snout ; ventrals much nearer P. than A •
length of head notably shorter than from P. to V. ; olivaceous, sides and
fins spotted with black; D. 7 ; A. 8 ; lat. 1, 60 to 65. Great Lakes and
streams south and west of New York to Rocky Mountains. In Penusvl-
vania only in the Alleglieny river.

Leg. Doc]

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

76

HALECOMOBFHI.

Parietals in contact; pterotic and opisthotic present, and with basis
cranii and anterior vertebrae simple. Mandible, with opercular and caro-
noid ; maxillary bordering the mouth. Third superior pharyngeal lying
on enlarged fourth; upper basihyal wanting. Vertebrae araphicoelian.
Pectoral fins, with mesopterygium, and eight other elements.

One family, the Amiidae with heterocercal tail, cartilaginous praecora-
coid, one axial and four basal branchihyals.

AMIIDAE— 2)0/7- l^i»/ie».

In this family the swim bladder is somewhat cellular, and the value of
the bulbers arteriosus are fewer than in the Lepid6steidae. I'hough more
numerous than in most Physoclystous genera. There is a spiral valve of
the intestines, and the scales are cycloid.

But two genera have been found in the United States, one of which Pap-
pichthys Cope is extinct, an^ occurs in eocene beds. Extinct species of
the recent genus Amia have been obtained from the Tertiary Amyzon
shales of Colorado. */

^ AMIA— Xinn.

Only one recent species of this genus has yet been properly defined.

Amia calva — Linn,

Bowfin.— Dog Fish.— Mud Fish.— Depth 4 to 4| in length ; head nearly 4 ;
eye 8 in head ; anterior nostrils each with a short barbel ; dark olive or
blackish above, nearly white below ; sides with traces of greenish mark-
ings ; lower jaw and gular plate with round blackish spots ; fins mostly
dark ; $ reaching a length of 18 inches, with a roundish black spot on the
upper base of caudal, which is surrounded by an orange or yellowish shade ;
6 larger, 2 feet or more in length, without the black caudal spot ; D. 42 to
53 ; A. 10 to 13 ; lat. 1 , 65 to 70. E. U. S. ; abundant in the great lakes.

In Pennsylvania this species abounds in the tributaries of the Ohio river
and in T^ake Erie. One specimen is recorded by Jacob Staufter as taken
in the Susquehanna. It has never been recorded from the Delaware nor
any Atlantic stream north of the Roanoke. The flesh of this species is of
bad flavor, and soft consistence, though of course it has nutritious proper-
ties.

NEMATOGNATHI.

Parietals and supraoccipital confluent, four anterior vertebrae coossified,
and with ossicula auditus. No mesopterygium. Basis cranii and pterotic
bone simple ; no coronoid bone. Third superior pharyngeal bone wanting,
or small and resting on the fourth ; second directed backward. One or two
pairs basal branchihyals ; two pairs branchihyals. Suboperculum wanting,
premaxillary forming mouth — border above. Interaclavicles present.

This great order is represented by the catfishes in North America, and

*^ State Commissioners op Fisheries. [No. 20.

by numerous species and genera in the fresh waters of all tropical regions
1 ery few species are marine. It embraces at least three families, which are
distinguished as follows : '

1. Anterior vertebra, modified ; inferior pharyngeal bones distinct ; fewer
branchiostegal radii. '

Operculum present, c; -j

Operculum wanting, . . ^ , . . ,

2. lei tebrae unmodified; inferior pharyngeal bones united their whole
length ; many branchistegal rays.

Operculum present, . . . ' rr t .i t . ,

In the Silurtdse we have other modications of importance. Thus in
^iTTu . ""T '"^'"'' pharyngeal is wanting. In Lorioaria and its
allies, the pterotic is greatly expanded, so as to unite with the hyomandi-

^:^:^^i:::z^ ''- ^^^-^^•-•^* -^ ^.poMMa...... are

SniTEIDJE— Cat-flshea.

Members of this family abound in all parts of Xortl, An.eriea, exeept-
ing he Pacific slope an,, great Colorado basin, extending well northwards.
lhe\ are all, when large enough, valuable as food fishes

f J" T ,"""""' ^"'*'''' "'"y "'"'' '""""S "'<' «"' '^'■"1» in imi-ortance,
from the large sue they attain. The s,«cies of the Ohio are raostlv dilfer-
ent from those of the East, and some of them (Amiurus oli.aru) attain
150 pounds ,n weight. The most valued is the " blue cat," (RiLlurus
ca^ruescens.) and it is deservedly so. It is sold everywhere, from J'itts-
burgh to New Orleans and Knoxville, and might be naturalized eastward
to advantage.

The genera found in Pennsylvania are the following:

I. Adipose fin continuous with the caudal fin.
Supraoccipital bone free behind, xr ,

II. Adipose fin free behind. Nolurus.

Supraoccipital bone free ; eyes rudimcntal and concealed, . Gronias
Supraoccipital bone free posteriorly ; eyes well developed, . . Amiurus
SupraocciMtal bone articulating with the second interneural bone, form^

mg a bridge from the skull to the base of the dorsal spine ; eyes distinct,

teet^n? ^; *'' '^''"'' ^^ ""*"^'^"' ^^""^ ^" ^'^^-^'^ ^^"^^'••'^•-' «f ^l"eh thir-
teen enter the waters of Pennsylvania.

VOTVBJJS—Raf.
The species of this genus are of small and medium size, and generally

tnan in the in id. I heir movements are often rapid, and thev are well de-
fended by their small acute spines, which inllict painful wounds. Ti re
are eight species known.

Leo. Doc]

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

tt

** Intermaxillary band of teeth without lateral backward process.
(Schilbeodes, Bleeker.)

t Pectoral spines more or less serrate on the inner edge ; adipose fin

notched.

Pectoral spines rather small, their internal serrace feeble, less than half
the diameter of the spine ; anal rather long, of more than fourteen rays.

XoTURUs iNsiGNis — Richdsn.

Margined stone cat— Upper jaw decidedly longest; pectoral spine
about half length of head, pretty strongly retrorse-serrate externally, dor-
sal spine much nearer anal than snout ; the distance from snout to dorsal
more than one third the length; anal fin with 16 to 19 rays; body elon-
gate ; head flattened ; dusky, a distinct black margin to dorsal and caudal
flns ; size rather large. Pennsylvania to South Carolina, abundant.—^.
lemniscatus^ (Val.) Grd. N. marginatus, Baird.

Common in the tributnriesof the Susquehanna.

ft Pectoral spines groved' on the inner edge ; not serrated ; adipose fin

continuous.

NoTURUS GYRiNUS — MitchUl.

Tadpole stone-cat A "starved" representative of the last slimmer in

every way ; head shorter and smaller ; body more elongate, and more com-
pressed, almost ribbon-shaped behind ; barbels pale ; anals 13. South-
eastern New York, and eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Found in
the tributaries of the Delaware.

•j-flntermaxillary teeth with strong lateral backward processes.

^ NoTURUS FLAY us — Raf.

Yellow stone cat.— Head much depressed and flattened, little longer than
broad; barbels r.ither short; he.id A\ in length : depth 5§; distance from
snout to dorsal 3 ; middle of body cylindrical, somewhat carinate above ;
adipose fin notched ; spine of pectorals roughish behind, slightly retrorse-
serrate in front. St. Lawrence to Kentucky and Upper Missouri, abund-
ant; the largest species, reaching a length of a foot. It is abundant in the
tributaries of the Ohio.

AMIURUS— iia/. Gill. (Amiurus and Pelodichthya—Gill.)

A. Intermaxillary teeth with strong lateral backward processes.

Amiurus oLivARis — Raf. {Mud Catfish.)

Body very long and slender, much depressed forwards, closely com-
pressed behind ; head very long and flat, tapering downwards and for-
wards, broadly rounded in front ; head 3^ in length, depth 6 in length ;
dorsal spine somewhat enveloped in thick skin ; pectoral spine very long,
flattened, serrated behind; adipose fin high and long ; jaws thin and flat the
lower always the longer ; colors much mottled ; anal fin quite short, of 15
rays. A singular species, reaching a very large size, abounding in the

18

State Commissionebs of Fisheries.

[No. 20,

Z'Z^Z ^" "-^ ™*"-' "' "■« ^^'-'-'PP' ^''"^y- Not found in

B Intermaxillary band of teeth without lateral l^ckward processes.
spread'C " °' '"^""^ emarginate, usually truneate when

of if t"" 2?" a^''' '""''' '■*' ""' ""' '"'^'^ "' ■""'•* ""' '^"g"' of «'« "^oiy ;

b. Head broad, moiitli wide ; form stout.

Amiurus natalis — Les.
Yellow cat.-CI,„l.l,y eat.-Body stout and heavy, with large head-
dorsal spine nearer snout than adipose fin. A widely diffused speeies «,„:

pei:;^:.:!?' ""*""• ^'^ '■''"•'"'"= "« "^"^^ »"'" '-<""'">• occur .„

^_ A. N. L,v,Dt8. Raf. More elongate ; dark colored , jaws equal. Ohio

Oht ri'ver!'""' ''"' '"""""" ''~™' "PP^^ J'"' '-Ser; common.

lakt."' ""™'''' ""''"■• ''"'""' "' '"''^'' ' "PP" J"" 'o»g^'- Great
This species is not found in the Atlantic rivers.

t Anal fin moderate, of 18 2i rays.

c. Lower jaw longer than ujjpcr.

Amiurus vulgaris— TAompson.
Lo„g,j.,wed cat-Body rather elongate, the depth 41 to 5 in lenrth ■
head 3i ; barbels long , mouth wide ; head longer than broad ; dorsal nefr';
snout than adipose an ; head broad forwards ; A. 20, dark r;ddish brown

nXrS Oi«/'" "^' ''"' "'''"""^'' ~^^^^^

cc. Jaws about equal in length.
e. Body not much clonifate.

of-fio"™!"""""*''' '""""' "" '>™° 'loP" f'O"' ™out to elevated base

Amiurus catus — Linn.

4 ^^"";"^f •-^-^-^•-"t.-SnKall eat-fish._Body rather elongate, depth
4 to 4^ .n length; head broader than in the next, the front less sten^ but
s slope more uniform ; body less rapidly narrowed behind ; anal fi ^^n^e
ts base 4'- .n body, the rays 21 or 22 in number; upper jaw distinc ly t^e'
longer; eolor dark yellowish brown, varying to blackish some ilelVar
bled, the young often quite black. Great lakes to Maine to South TaroZ
the common eastern species. ( A. atrarius. neMo.us, hoyi, etc., of ailors )'

,J'V'"".r^^''" ^reat numbers in the Delaware nd Susn e
hanna rivers, and is a good food fish. ^

Leo. Doc]

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

79

^ Amiurus melas — Raf.

Black cat. — Body very stout and deep ; the depth 3^ to ^\ in length ;
head not very broad, rather contracted forwards, the front steeply ele-
vated, the body thick across the "shoulders," rather rapidly narrowed be-
hind ; anal fin short and deep, of 18 or 20 rays, its base nearly five in length,
the color of the rays forming a sharp contrast with that of the membranes ;
upper jaw scarcely longest ; size small ; color almost black. Mississippi
valley, abundant. {A. catulus^ obesus, conjinis^ etc., of authors.

** Caudal fin forked, its lower lobe the larger; colors more or less
olivaceous or silvery.

a. Head rather broad, anal rays 25 or 26.

Amiurus nigricans — Les.

Great forked-tailed cat. — Cat-fish of the lakes, Mississippi cat, Florida

cat, great blue cat Head comparatively small, 4^ in length, its width 5;

barbels long ; spines short and stout, serrated ; body rather low and mod-
erately stout ; colors dark, mottled with paler ; size very large. Great
lakes, Mississippi valley, and South to Florida, much the largest of our
cat-fishes, reaching a weight of 100 to 200 pounds.

a a. Head narrow, decidedly longer than broad.

f. Anal rays, 23 or 24.

Amiurus albidus — Les.

White cat, channel cat of the Potomac — Head narrowed, very wide in
adults, quite narrow in j'oung, its width 4 to 5 in length of bod}- ; upper
jaw considerably the longer ; dorsal spine nearer adipose fin than snout ;
caudal deeply forked; base of anal fin 4^ in length; A. 21. Penns^dvania
to South Carolina, abundant. [,4. lynx, (Grd.,) Gill.J

This is the " Schuylkill cat," of Philadelphia, and is consumed in great
numbers in the eastern cities between New York and Richmond. It is
one of the best of food fishes, although of too small size to sustain any
extensive industry. It has been introduced into the Sacramento river Cal-
ifornia, and nourishes there so as to have become an article of food in San
Francisco.

Amiurus lophius — Cope. {Big Mouthed Cat.)

Head extremely wide, its width 3^^ in length, as great as the length of the
head; upper jaw slightly the longer; caudal shallow forked; base of anal
fin 6 in length; A. 21 ; color silvery as in the preceding. Tributarits'of
Chesapeake Bay, rather common. Very old specimens of A. albidus re-
semble A. lophius, but may be recognizecl by the characters above noted.
A. lophius has the largest mouth of any North American cat-fish.

This species is seen in the markets of Washington and Baltimore, and is
probably found in the Susquehanna. It is not known from tlie Delaware,
nor west of the AUeghenies.

80

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

[No. 20,

O^OmAS—Cope.
G ROMAS NJGRILABRIS — Cope.

Cave cat-fish -Form, &e., nearly of Amiurus melas ; but the eyes little
developed ; anal short, of about 1 9 rays. , Subterranean streams, tributaries
ot Conestoga river, east Pennsylvania.

This singular blind fish was Originally discovered by Mr. Jacob Stauffer
near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and has been obtained a number of times'
subsequently by different persons.

ICHTH^LURUS— /?a/.

This genus inclndes three species of a more slender build and more ac-
tive habits than i.iuKt of the species of Amiurus.

ICHTHyELLRUS COERULESCENS— i?a/.

Common chninul cat, blue cat, white cat, &c. Head moderate, about 4
n length; dorsa region not especially elevated ; spines long ; coloration of
the others, bluish silvery, young spotted with olive. New York to South
Carolina, west to the Rocky Mountains and Mexico, verv abundant. It
has been described under some twenty-three different spedfic names T/
punctatus, (liaf.,) Jord.^ • L^-

A valuable food fish,two feet in length, common in the Ohio and its trib-
utaries, and absent from streams flowing into the Atlantic.

SCYPHOPHORI.

Parietals narrow, distinct from each other and the supraoccipital. Pte-
rot.c large, funnel-shaped, enclosing a chamber which expands externallv
and IS covered by a lid-like bone. No symplectic. Opercular bones pres-

!l.l. r'-'/'f ^-'r ""'^'''''^- ^"^ "^esopterygium. Basis cranii
simple, ^o mterclavicles.

This order includes only two families, the Oymuarchidae and the Mor.
myridae, both of which are confined to the African continent.

PLECTOSPLONDYI.

Parietals broad, distinct ; pterotic normal ; symplectic present. Opercu

1 «"f ''", ^'''''"*' "^ interclavicles. Anterior four vertebrae much
modified, and with ossicula auditus.

This order embraces a larger number of species of fresh water fishes than
any other and is represented in all the regions of the earth, excepting Aus-
tralia 1 here are six recent families which have the following characters •

1. Brain case produced between orbits; only two superior pharygeal
bones; basis cranii simple. ^^

a. Only two basal branchihyals.

Tail diphy cereal ; maxillary entering mouth border,

a a. Three basal brauchih3 als.

Catastomidae.

Leg. Doo.l

State Commissionebs of Fisheries.

81

Tail heterocercal ; mouth bounded by premaxillary. Cyprinidae. Cobitidae.
Tail protocercal, • . Sternopygidae.

2. Brain case not produced between orbits ; basis cranii double with mus-
cular canal in many ; four to one superior pharyngeal bones.

Three basal branchihyals, Characinidae. Erythrinidae.

Of these families, the Erythrinidae and Chiracinidae and Sternopy-
gidae are found only in the tropics and southern hemisphere, and the Co-
bitidae belong exclusively to the Old World. The Cyprinidae, the most
extensive family of fresh water fishes, belongs to the northern hemisphere
and Africa, having nearly the distribution of the raniform anurous Batra-
chia, and insectivorous Mammalia. The Catostomidae are entirely North
American excepting two species, which are Asiatic.

The fishes of the two families last named, or the carp, chub, and sucker
families are not valued in America, though in Europe they form a very im-
portant part of the food of the inland population. But there is no doubt
of their prospective importance here, and on that ground alone they should
share in the protection aflorded to our more valued species. They form,
in fact, the bulk of the piscine population of the United States, and besides
furnishing food for man and bird, form the sustenance of the perch, bass,
jack, pike, and other carnivorous fishes. The American carp (Carpiodes
cyprinus,) a 2.5-pound fish, is eaten along the Susquehanna ; and the Ohio
species (C. difformis^ G. cutisanserinus, and C. velifer,) of about the same
size, are also sold in the market. The buffalo (Bubalichthya urus) reach-
es bo pounds weight, and is proportionately- important, though bj-no means
a fish of fine fiavor. The Missouri sucker (Cycleptus nigricans) appears
in the Pittsburgh market, and is second in size, reaching 15 pounds. The
other species are numerous ; two come occasionally to Philadelphia market,
and others occur all over the State. Of the whole group, nine species are
valuable food-fishes, but rather on account of quantity than quality. None
suffer more from the want of protection than these fishes. They inhabit
the upper waters of all our streams, and are cut ol! in thousands by every
mill-dam on the man}' smaller and larger creeks in the country. Their
enormous productiveness (some deposit at one time 500,000 eggs) does not
make up for this, in the case of any particular stream from which they may
have been finally driven. The fish-ways, which preserve the shad and ale-
wives, will also protect the Cyprinidae.

CATOBTOKIDAE—Suckcrs.

The suckers are peculiarly North American in their distribution occur-
ring in all the waters of the continent. One hundred species are distin-
guislied, which fall into eleven genera. These are defined as follows:

A. Dorsal fin elongate, its rays numerous. — Bubalichthyinae.

t Cranium with a median fontanelle.

Pharyngeal bones strong, triangular in section ; teeth stronger.

Bubalichthy».

Pharyngeal bones slender, flat, teeth minute Carpiodes.

6 Fish Rep.

®^ State Commissionebs op Fisheries. [No. 20

ft No cranial fontanelle. Body elongate, . • Cycleptus.

AA. Dorsal fin short, quadrate, with few r^y^.—Catostominae.

t Pharyngeal bones triangular in section ; teeth of medium size
a Lpper hp not very long ; lower lip entire or emarginate.
/S Air bladder bicellular.
r No cranial fontanelle.

A lateral line; mouth inferior; lips enlarged, Pantosteus

YY A cranial fontanelle ;

A lateral line ; mouth terminal ; lips thin, Chasmistes

Alateral line; mouth inferior; lips thick, Catostomus.

No lateral hne ; lips not thickened, Erimvznn

A? Air bladder tricellular. ' ^''iw^y^on.

A cranial fontanelle and lateral line, Myxostoma.

aa Upper hp greatly enlarged ; lower lip divided into two separate
lobes.

Air bladder tricellular; a fontanelle and lateral line, . . . Quassilabia.

TT 1 haryngeal bones flat, weak, teeth minute.
Aofleshy lips; a fontanelle, . . r-

Ttt Pharyngeal bones triangular ; basal teeth robust, molar-
iform.

Swim-bladder tricellular; a cranial fontanelle, and lateral line.

CAEPIODES-.i?a/. Placopharynx.

The anterior part of the dorsal fin of these fishes is elevated, sometimes
into an elongate filament. They are of more or less compressed form, and
their scales are generally large. They do not occur in Atlantic streams
east of the Delaware.

* First rays of dorsal fin much elevated and attenuated, about as lon<r
as the base of the fin. "

tMn^zle very abruptly obtuse, and anterior suborbital bone much
deeper than long.

Carpiodes dipformis — Cope,

Doformed Carp Sucker-Eye very large, and well anterior; the front

edge of the lower ja>v in line with the anterior rim of the orbit, an.I the

end of the npper l,p reaehing the line of the anterior rim of the orhit the

physiognomy bemg, therefore, peenliar in the great obtuseness of the h^ad •

1 "35 Oldo rWeT' ""'"""'' '° "''''"'' "'' ""* ''*"'' ' f^- 2* i ^i- 8 ; V. 9 ; lat!

Thi8 species has a peeuliar physiognomy. Its very small and inferior
mouth indicate finely divided food from the bottom.

Cabpiodes cutisanserincs Cope.

Long-finned carp sueker.-Moiith usual in ,,ositi„n. the npper lip in ad-
vanee of the nostrils, etc. ; dorsal fin l.gining mid-way of bodv, mo e it
vated than in any other species ; snout with small tnbercles in sp'r ng male, •
head 4 in length , depth 2f ; U. 26 ; V. 1« ; A. 8. Ohio va.le ■, abuSnV
Allegheny river. *' ' ^''^''''^^''t-

Leg. Doc]

State CoMMissioNEas op Fisheries.

88

ff Muzzle conic, projecting.

. Carpiodes velifer — Raf.

Spear Fish— Sail Fish — Quill-back — Skim-back. Muzzle conic, much less
obtuse than in the next ; depth 2^ in length ; head 3f ; eye 4;^ in head ; color
pale, scarcely silvery, as in all the species ; D. 22 ; lat. 1, 37. Ohio river.

** Anterior rays of dorsal scarcely filamentous, little more than half the
length of the base of the fin.

b. Head comparatively large, 3^ to 4 in length.

Carpiodes cyprinus — Raf. -

Silvery carp sucker. — Muzzle prominent, but rather obtuse ; eye small,
anterior, 5 in head's depth, 2f in length; longest dorsal rays about § the
length of the base of the fin ; D. 28 ; ar. 29 ; lat. 1, 40. New York to Ala-
bama, east of the Alleghenies.

This species is abundant in the Susquehanna river, and is a prominent
fish in the markets of the towns along its course. Its flesh is of good, but
not exceptional, quality.

bb. Head smaller, A\ to 5 times in length.

C.4RPI0DES THOMPSONi — Agass.
Lake carp sucker. — Short and stout ; dorsal region much arched ; scales
narrowly exposed ; longest dorsal ray reaching the 22d ; ej'C small, 5^ in
head ; head 4^ in length ; depth 2^; D. 28 ; lat. 1, 41. Great lakes.

A good food fish.

ICHTHYOBUS -i?a/.

This group is nearly allied to Carpiodes, and may probably not deserve
generic separation. It is distinguished solely by the terminal position and
large size of the mouth. It is much the same as Lipomyzon, but has the
long dorsal fin of the Bubalichthyine division. There is, according to Jor-
dan, only one species.

ICHTIIYOBUS BUBALUS Raf.

Brown buft'alo fish. — Depth 3^ in length ; head the same ; eye small, 6-^
in head ; depth of head five sixths its length ; opercle very wide, forming
nearly half the length of head — convex and furrowed ; scales large ; dull
brownisli oliv**, not silvery ; D. 27; A. 10; lat. 1, 40; length, very (of speci-
men,) 27 inches; weight 15 pounds. Mississippi valley. A common spe-
cies of the streams of the Mississippi valley, not found east of the Alle-
ghenies. Extensively used as food.

BTJB ALICKTSYS— Agass.
BuBALiciiTHYS URL'S — Agass.

Black Bulfalo. big-mouthed buffalo. Body much less elevated and less
compressed than in B. bubalinus, the back not at all carinated ; axis of
body over the ventrals about at the lateral line, and but an eighth or tenth
further from the dorsal line than the ventral ; greatest depth midway of
body over ventrals and just in advance of dorsal ; depth 3^ in length ; head

84

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

[No. 20,

strongly transversely convex, almost ridged above, less narrowed down-
wards than in huhalinm ; greatest depth of head 1^ in its length ; interor-
bital space 2^; snout scarcely projecting; no depression at occiput- an
almost even curve from snout to dorsal ; head bounded by curves • there-
fore no triangular, thicker, larger, and less pointed than in bubalinus •
mouth large, with a large and pappillose lower lip, mandible longer than
eye; scales 8-41-7 ; fin rays D. I., 30 ; A.L,11; dorsal not so high nor
so rapidly depressed as in bubalinus, the longest ray scarcely half the
length of the base of the fin, reaching to the 15th, the 9th ray, half the
height of the first ; anal rea^.hing caudal, its middle rays more rounded
not so much shorter than the first ; pectorals as long as ventrals, both
longer than anal and less than head ; colors very dark ; fins all black Mis-
sissippi and Ohio rivers. Used for food in large quantities.

BUBALICHTHYS CYANELLUS— iVe/son.

Small mouthed Buffalo. Body considerably elevated and compressed
above ; the dorsal region sub-carinate ; belly thicker ; depth 2? in len-th •
axis of the body above the ventrals, below the lateral line and nearly twice
as far from the back as the belly; greatest depth of body at l>eginnina- of
dorsal, which is in advance of ventrals, and a trifle neare'r the snout tlian
the caudal ; head wide, rounded across the top, wider above the eves than
across the cheeks ; interorbital space 2 in head ; head 4 in length of bcdv
Its greatest depth 11 in its length ; eye-snout 4 in head, much lai^rer than
in B mger; mouth small, notably smaller than in B. m'y^r, and with thin-
ner lips which are granulated and feebly plicate ; mandible about equal to
eye ; pharyngeal bones very strong, with large teeth, which grow larger
downward ; intestinal canal long, longer than body ; a decided occipital
depression ; head triangular in outline, viewed from the side ; ante-orbital
region strongly elevated and curved ; length of top of head 2f in distance
from snout to occiput ; nostril large ; scales 8-40-6 in two specimens
8_36-(; m one, 7-39-5 in the fourth ; fin rays D. I. 28 in two, I 29 in
rest; A. I. 10; ^ . 10; dorsal elevated in front and rapidlv declined the
seventh ray half the length of the third or longest; the latier reaches to
the base of the eighteenth ray, or more than half the base of the fin • anal
reaching caudal, its rays rapidly shortened ; pectorals shorter than' anal
anal t.ian ventrals, all than head. Mississippi valley, abundant.

CTCLEPTtTB— fia/.

Cycleptus elonoatus Lesueur.

Black Horse, Oourcl-Seed sucker. Missouri sucker._Bodv fusiform not
greatly compresse.l ; l>ea<l and n.outh very small ; depth 4 io 6 in Icnlrth •
head 6i ; eye small, well back, 6 to 7 in head , lol,es of dorsal and caudal
much attenuate ; ongest dorsal rays a little longer than head ; ,K.ctorals

broad 1 iTlT r'' """•."" '"""'= '^•-'''' '^•'*" t"" -Po-l surfaces
broad. $ Jet black above ; sides black with a coppery luster; snout mi-

Leg. Doc]

Stats Commissioners of Fisheries.

85

nutely tuberculated in spring ; j olivaceous ; D. 30; A. 7 ; lat. 1.56; length
2 to 3 feet ; weight 2 to 15 pounds. Mississippi valley, in large streams.
A singular species, quite unlike any other. Occasionally taken in the Alle-
gheny river.

CATOSTOMTTS-ica.

Hypentelium — Raf. Minytrema — Jordan.

This genus includes the ordinary suckers, and is distributed throughout
North America.

* Scales large, lateral line imperfect.

Catostomus melanops — Raf. Spotted mullet. Striped sucker.

Each scale with a large, square, blackish spot at its base, these forming
more or less conspicuous stripes along the sides ; body subterete, becoming
deeper with age. Head 4§ in length ; depth about 4 ; scales very large ;
blackish above; sides coppery, with black stripes; D. I., 12; lat. 1, 47;
size large ; adult males with the sides of the head profuselj' tuberculate in
spring ; young specimens of this species have no trace of lateral line, as
in Erimyzon ; older ones (6-8 inches) show a deepening of the furrows
along the median series of scales; adults of 12 to 18 inches show a series
of completely developed tubes, which, however, are wanting on some of
of the scales, especially behind ; as Erimyzon, never shows any traces of
the tubes ot the lateral line. Great lakes, Ohio valley, and south, abun-
dant ; one of our handsomest suckers, strangely overlooked by recent writers.
This and the next, unlike most of our suckers, are very hardy in the aqua-
rium.

** Scales large, lateral line perfect.

Catostomus nigricans — Les.

Banded Sucker. — Stone Roller. — Hog Sucker. — " Mud Sucker." — Depth
4 1 in length ; head 4 ; depth of head § its length ; eyes small, very high
up and far back ; lower fins very large ; pectoral nearly- as long as head ;
brownish, often beautifully marbled; D. I., 11 ; A. 8; lat. 1,52. Lakes
and streams from New York south and west ; abundant ; one of the most
characteristic fishes. It frequents clear streams and rapids, and it is not
at all a " mud fish," as some writers seem to suppose. It is most abundant
in the tributaries of the Ohio and Susquehanna, but is rare in those of the
Delaware.

♦** Scales' small ; lateral line perfect.

a. Lateral line with 60-65 scales.

Catostomus teres — Mitchill. Fig.

Common Sucker. — White Sucker. — Depth about equal to length of head,
4 to 4^ in length ; olivaceous, sides silver}-, with bright reflections ; males
with the sides roseate in spring ; D. I., 12; lat. 1, 63. United States, abun-
dant every where east of the Rocky Mountains. ( G. commeraonii^ C. com-
mttnis, bostonienais, sucklii, etc., of authors.)

86

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

[No. 20,

Leg. Doc]

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

8T

Familiar to* everyone as " the sucker " par excellence, and found in all
waters. It is extensively used for food, but is not distinguished for either
good or bad qualities.

aa. Lateral line Avith about 100 scales.

Catostomus longirostrum — Les.

Red-sided sucker.— Long-nosed sucker.— Slender, depth less than length
of head ; sides with a bright red band, and upper part of head with small
tubercles in males in spring ; 1). I., 10 ; lat. 1. 110. Great lakes, upper Mis-
sis8ippi,and north-ward ; abundant ; [(7. hudaonius, Les. ; G. aurora, Ag. ;
O. griseus and C. lactarius, Grd. ; G. forsterianus, vRich.,) not G. forste-
rianua, Ag. ; which is probably G. teres, Mitch.'] Size large.

Lake Erie.

ERIMTZON, Jordan— Moxostoma, "i?a/.," Agaaa.not Rof.
Erimyzon succetta — Lac. Fig.
Chub sucker.— No stripes along the rows of scales, bodv rather short
and deep ; head 4 to 4^ in length ; depth 2^ in adult ; eye 5 in head ; scales
crowded, deeper than long; no trace of lateral line; dusky above, brassy
on sides and below; very variable; young much less compressed, with
black bands or bars, and pale lateral and vertebral streaks ; spring males
with six tubercles on head ; D. I, 11 ; lat. 1, 40. New England, south and
west abundant— [^. oblongus, (Mit.) Jor.]

Found in muddy and slow streams in all parts of the State, especiallv
the east.

MYXOSTOMA— /?a/.

Ptychostomus, Agass.— Teretulus, Raf.

This genus includes numerous species, which mostly have large scales.
Its great center of abundance is in the southern rivers which flow into the
Atlantic, but species occur everywhere east of the Rocky Mountains. It
is not known from waters flowing into the Pacific.

Ht-ips thick, not infolded and v-shaped, plicate ;

a Dorsal rays 12-14; scales 1. 1. 41-50.

Myxostoma macrolepidotum Les.

Red horse.— Common mullet — Head comparatively elongate, 4 to 5 in
length ; mouth large ; size large, reach a length of two feet or more. United
States, east of the great plains, everywhere common, except in New Eng-
land, and streams east of the Delaware.

Tar. duquesnei — Le%.
Common red horse.— White sucker — Head quite elongate, 4 to i\ in
length ; l)ack little elevated ; body rather elongate, not greatly compressed •
scales pretty large, 6-42 to 49-5 ; back bluish or olive ; sides ])rilliantly
silvery, with bright reflections ; dorsal fin dusky above ; lower fins bright
red. Ohio river and southward, very abundant, the common "red horse"
in most regions. A common article of food in western Pennsylvania.

Var. macrolepidotum — Les.
Lake mullet.— Eastern red horse.— Head still shorter and deeper, 4| to
5 in length ; its upper profile concurrent with the curve of the back, which
is considerably elevated ; the form being thus somewhat elliptical ; sides
compressed ; dorsal rays usually 13 ; coloration little silvery, the sides re-
flecting brownish and golden ; back smoky, some of the scales dusky at
base ; scales 6 — 42 to 50—5. Great lakes and streams eastward, from Ver-
mont to South Carolina. Very abundant in the Susquehanna, less so in
the Delaware. Bronirht in numbers to Philadelphia market.

Myxostoma aureolum — Les.

Golden red horse. — Lake mullet. — Head comparatively short, low and
small, 5 to 5^ in length ; back elevated and compressed ; depth 3^ in length ;
mouth rather small, more or less overpassed by the snout ; coloration bright
yellowish brown, etc., not silvery ; lower fins bright red; dorsal rays 13;
scales 6 —42 to 48—5 ; size large. Great lakes. Ohio Valley and northward.

** Lower lips infolded, v-sliaped, when viewed from below, with a dis-
tinct median crease, in which the two halves of the lip meet, forming an
acute angle ; mouth small.

t Lips plicate, the folds not broken up into papill.ne.

g. Dorsal rays (developed) 16 (15 to It.)

Myxostoma velatum — Cope. {White Nose.)

Small-mouthed red horse.— White Aose.— Body stout, deep, compressed,
the back elevated, the depth 3 to 4 in length ; head short, heavy, fiattish
and Jjroad above, thick through the cheeks, 3^ to 4i in length ; eye rather
large, midway in head, 4 to 5 in its length ; muzzle rather prominent, blunt-
ish, overhanging the very small mouth ; fins very large ; dorsal long and
high, its height five sixths the length of the head ; pectorals nearly reaching
ventrals; color silvery, smoky above ; lower fins red; size large. Great
lakes to North Carolina and Alabama, rather common. (P. collapsus, and
P. velatus, Cope.) Western Pennsylvania. Generally confounded by
fishermen with the red horse. Common in Lake Erie and the Allegheny

river.

PLACOPHABYNX- Cope.

This genus reseml)K's the last in every respect excepting in the teeth,
some of which apprc »ach those of some Gyprinidae.

Placopharynx carinatus — Gope. •

'Cope's sucker— Resembles the red horse, but the lips and pharyngeal
bones quite different ; eye 4^ in head ; head 4 in length ; depth 3§ ; head
strongly ridged above; pharyngeal bones very heavy, the lower 7 to 12
teeth on each side very large, scarcely compressed ; truncate, irregularly
placed ; D. I, 14 ; A. I, 7 ; lat. 1. 41 ; head with a median ridge on top ; a
large, coarse species similar in general characters to Myxostoma, but with
the physiognomy approaching somewhat that of Ichthyobus. It is proba-

88

State Commissioners or Fisheries.

[No. 20,

bly common in the western streams, although it was not noticed until 18t0
Specimens from the Illinois, Wabash, Detroit, Falls of the Ohio and the
Scioto, are noted by Prof. Jordan.

CTPEINIDJE— ( Carp. )
This family is represented by more numerous species than anv other of
those of the Northern Hemisphere. Its genera present a great Variety of
detailed structure, while adhering very closely to the definitions which
comprise them all. In habits, there are both carnivorous and herbivorous
forms, which differ in the structure of their pharyngeal teeth and alimen-
tary canal. There are also forms which are distinguished by still more
radical peculiarities, which form the definitions of the four sub-families be-
low mentioned.

In an economical point of view the Cyprinidse are not as important in
the United States as in Europe and Asia, on account of their generally in-
ferior size. The only ones in Pennsylvania which grow to a valuable size
are the two species of Semotilus. A number of the other species are valued
as pan-fish. and are caught in large numbers by anglers. The European
carp is a large and valuable fish, and is likely to be acclimated in the State
by the labors of the United States and Pennsylvania fish commissioners.

The four sub-families are defined as follows :

I. The natatory bladder free from the dorsal peritonaeum, and surrounded
by numerous convolutions of the alimentary canal.

Jaws and opercula normal, ... Mesocysti.

II. Swim-bladder enclosed in the dorsal peritonaeum, not surrounded bv
the alimentary canal.

a Mandibular rami distinct from each other.

Cranial bones not cavernous, Epicysti

Cranial bones supporting laminae, which enclose superficial chambers.—

Goelophori.
a a Dentary bones of opposite sides united together by their lower edges
throughout their length.

Cranial bones not cavernous Cochlobori.

KESOCTSTI.
Only one genus of this sulvfamily is known.

CAMPOSTOMA.— ^i^aM.
Alimentary canal very elongate ; teeth of the external row 4—4, ob-
liquely truncate and without hook ; anterior dorsal spine short, closely
adherent to the soft rays ; dorsal fin above ventrals ; lips acute, with a car-
tilaginous sheath ; The intestinal canal 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 verte-
brates.

The species are not numerous, and have a wide range. They are only
found in streams east of the Rocky Mountains.

o

Co

»
o

i

s

a:

•

"8

Lsa. Doo.] State GoMMissiONEas of Fisheries. 89

Campostoma anomalum — Raf.

Stone lugger. — Stone roller. — Brownish, with a brassy luster above, the
scales more or less mottled with dark ; a black vertical bar behind opercle ;
iris usually orange-red ; dorsal and anal each with a dusky cross-bar about
half way up ; the rest of the fin olivaceous, or in spring males fiery orange ;
males in spring with many rounded tubercles on head, and usually the
whole upper surface — in no other genus are these nuptial appendages so
extensively developed — scales deep, rather small and crowded anteriorly ;
intestinal D. I, t; lat. 1,50 to 55 ; L. 4 to 8 ; herbivorous. Mississippi
valley, everywhere abundant ; one of the most curious and interesting of
American fishes. It takes its food on the bottom, and its movements are
rather slugglish, unless it is alarmed, when it darts with great swiftness.
In its spring colors it is a conspicuous fish. — C. dubium, (Kirt.) Cope.

EPICYSn.

This sub-family embraces the greater number of the genera of the family.
Those found within the limits of Pennsylvania are the following :

I. Alimentary canal elongate; teeth grinding or sharply truncate.
Herbivorous.

a Dorsal fin long, anal short, each preceded by a spine.
Molar teeth, 1,3-3,1; mouth with barbels; (introduced.) — Cyprinua.
Teeth compressed, 4-4 ; no barbels ; (introduced,) .... Carassius.
na Dorsal fin short ; no strong spines in front of it or of the anal ; teeth
compressed.

/5 Rudimentary dorsal spine separated from soft rays by a membrane.

Lateral line imperfect, Pimephales.

Lateral line complete, . Hyborhynchus.

[ifl First dorsal spine adherent.
r Teeth 4-4.

Lateral line complete, Hybognathus.

Lateral line incomplete, Ghrosomus.

rr Teeth, b-b.

Lateral line complete ; teeth crenate, Notemigonua.

II. Alimentary canal short; teeth hooked, mostly without grinding sur-
face. (Carnivorous.)

a No barbel at the angle of the mouth.

,3 Teeth with grinding surface. •

y Lateral line incomplete.

Teeth, 4-5 or 4-4 ; dorsal fin over ventrals, Hemitremia.

yy Lateral line complete.

Dorsal fin standing over some part of base of ventral fins ; teeth 4-4. —

Luxilus.
Dorsal fin originating behind ventrals ; teeth 4-4, Lythrurus.

fi,^ Teeth without grinding surface.
7- Teeth 4-4.

®® State Commissioners of Fisheries. [No. 20

Lips thick, fleshy, mouth inferior; dorsal fin beginning anterior to ven-
trais. , ,

Lips normal ; dorsal fin beorinning above ventrals, ..*... Cliola

Lips normal; dorsal fin beginning behind ventrals, . . . ' Notroms
rr Teeth 6-4 and 6-5. ^ '

Lips normal ; dorsal fin entirely behind ventrals, QUa

«« A barbel at the angle of the mouth.
Upper jaw projectile (dermal groove crossing the muzzle ;) teeth 4-6._

ITpperjaw projectile; teeth 4i4, Nocomis

^ Upper jaw not projectile, (dermal groove not crossing muzzle ;) teeth

'■•■••••• Rhinichthys.

CYPRINUS— itnn.

This genus is distributed in Europe and temperate Asia. One species
has been introduced into Pennsylvania.

Cyprinus cARPio— Zmn. {European Carp.) Figs.

Olivaceous; D. Ill, 6 ; lat. L3t. European, introduced into some east-
ern rivers.

CABASSIUS— A^t7i».

Another European and temperate Asiatic genus, of which one species has
become abundant in Pennsylvania.

Carassius auratus— L. {Gold Fish. Silver Fish.) Fig.
Orange or blackish, rarely pale; D. I, 19; A. I, 8; lat. L26; exceed-
ingly variable in domestication. Asia ; common everywhere in aquaria
and now naturalized in many of our eastern streams. Abundant in the
Delaware and Schuylkill.

PIMEPHALES-7?rt/.
A genus containiu- Imt few species of singular appearance.

PiMEPHALES PROMELAS — Baf.

Fat head.— Black hoad.-Head almost globular, black in adult males •
snout in 6 with several large tubercles ; body very short and deep ; scales
crowded : eye small ; mouth very small and short ; a large black dorsal
blotch ; maizes dusky ; females olivaceous ; I). I, 7 ; lat. 1.46 ; L. 2^. Ohio
valley to Upper Missouri. " Known at sight, as it resembles nothing else ''
(Jordan); common in the tributaries of the Ohio in Pennsylvania. The
heads of the males are especially swollen and are studded with hornv tu-
bercles symmetrically arranged.

HYBOBHYNCHTJS -^/7a««.
The species of this genus resemble those of the la8t,and are not numerous*
1 hey are mud lovers and live on decomposing vegetable matter. Their
dark colors enable them to escape observation.

Leo. Doc]

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

91

Hyborhynchus notatus — Baf.

Blunt-nosed minnow Brownish or bluish, a dusky shade along sides,

sometimes forming a caudal spot on middle of front rays of dorsal ; head
short ; snout in spring males with disproportionately large tubercles, usu-
ally fourteen in all ; no distinct barbel at each angle of the mouth ; scales
in front of dorsal small and crowded ; D. 1 , 8 ; A. 1, 7 ; lat. 1, 45 ; L. 3 to
4. New York to Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Missouri ; very abundant in

the Ohio valley.

HYBOGNATHTJS— ^fl'aas.

The species of this genus are numerous and are found in all the Missis-
sippi and Atlantic streams, excepting those of New England.

Hyybognathus nuchalts — Agass.

Blunt-jawod minnow.— Tuberbital bones broad and short, not long and
narrow as in the next ; head 4§ in length ; eye small, shorter than snout, 4
to 4i in head ; depth 4^ in length, about equal to length of head ; D 1,8;
lat. i, 38 ; L. 2^. Ohio' valley and W. This and the next may be readily
known from the Luxili, which they strongly resemble externally, by the
peculiarities of the intestines.

In Pennsylvania, from tributaries of the Ohio only.

Hyboonathus argyritis — Gird. Fig.
Silvery minnow.— Olivaceous green above, sides clear silvery with bright
reflectioiis ; fins unspotted ; eye large, longer than tnuzzle, 3 to 4 in head ;
depth 4i in length ; scales in front of dorsal quite large ; lateral line de-
curved ; head large, upper jaw heavy; D. 1, 8; A. 1, 8; lat. 38; L. 5.
New Jersey to South Carolina, and west to the Upper Missouri, abundant
in the larger streams ; one of our handsomest dace. Probably occurs in
the Delaware, in Pennsylvania, as it has been taken by Dr. Charles Abbott,
in the Raritaii, which it ascends with the smelt in the spring.

IIyboonathus REGIUS — Girard — Swell Minnow.
Head 5 in length ; mouth small ; bright silvery ; D. 1, 9 ; A. 1, 9 ; L. 7 ;
lat. 1, 38. Maryland and Virginia ; a species similar to the preceding, both
apparently much larger ; the two need further comparison. Probably found
in the Susquehanna.

CHE080MU8— i?a/.
This ffenus includes a few small species of remarkably brilliant coloration.

C IIROSOMUS erythrog astkr — Raf.

Red-belliod dace Brownish olive, with black spots on the back, a

black or brown band from above the eye, straight to the tail ; another be-
low, running through eye, decurved along the lateral line ; l)elly and space
between bands bright silvery, brilliant scarlet red in spring, males, as are
the bases of the vertical fins ; a dark vertebral line ; females obscurely
marked; D. 1, 8 ; A. 1, 9 lat. 1, 80 to 90. Pennsylvania to Wisconsin and

'* S'^ATE COMMISSIONEBS OF PiSHERWS. [No. 20

Tennessee abundant in small streams ; one of the most beautiful of ou!
fishes; ,„h,gh coloration the fins are bright yellow, and the body is mi-
nutely tubercula e. There seems to be but one welMeBned species ul
the most desirable of all our minnows for aquarium purposes being hardy
graceful, and brilliantly colored. » » <= ; "«'ng "aray,

Common in the streams of Western Pennsylvania. A variety or dis-
tmet Slices (0. eos.) is found in the Susquehanna river, but the genus
IS not represented in the Delaware. ^

NOTEHIOOmrS.— Raf.

JyllZ *"'* •*''" Zf"" "' ""' ^""''' ""•' "'^y "« distributed through,
.u thdrlorm "• ' ■■""■""" *'"' """""" (^*'«"?'^> <" Europe-Asia

NOTEMIOONHS CHRTSOLEUCCS MUch.

Sl,iner._Bream.-Body much compressed ; abdomen trenchant • head
small, about 4 in length; depth 3 (2* to 4), lateral line much decirredl
scales small on the back, much larger below; dark steel-blue or green above
sides silvery or golden, every where with brilliant reflections green yj-'
low and red; young specimens paler, looking like young LuJi but the
aduts are among the largest in the family and hear'a stfong ^ emblanc

Ind S th,ml ', ; ' ' '"'• '' '* '"*"• ^'^^ England to Minnesota
and b.; abundant m bayous, ponds, and weedy streams; this species is
much more tenacious of life than is any other of our cyprinoids. "^
difnhT. / the most abundant cyprinoid of tide-water streams, and the
ditches and ponds which connect with them. It sometimes reaches one
and a half pounds weight, but is of little value as a pan-flsh. Tt aflords
much sport to the amateur flsher-boys of the eastern oJties.

KEKITBEHIA.— Cbpe.
Hemitremia bifre.-jata Oope.

Eastern hemitremia Head deitth • j i *; ;« i _ii.

1. ... «*^«u — uepcn ; 4 1-5 in length: snout b!:inf •

ohve a bumiBhed jet-black lateral band of a deeper color th^n in an v o h ;
small minnow; D. 1,8; A. 17; lat. 1. 36. Massachusetts to Z.lll
abundant m the tributaries of the Delaware. '

'The Hemitremia heterodon, a species heretofore found in Michigan mav
be looked for in the north-western part of the State. ^^^'^'g^"' •««>

LUXIlU8-7?o/.

ffypHlepis, Bd-Atburnops, Oir.-Byhop.is, "Agnm.r Oope.

. J»ii •^*""' ,•""'"■»«<" « '"'go »"«'•«'■• of species, many of them of very
small sue, and some of them larger. Many are are distinguishes! bv bril
nan colors which are especially develop in the waters fn sprTng The
most prominent of these colors is red , next is a silver white pigm™t in

bZ eUd rn-'h"' """'^'f r"' "^ <--quently, pale7ellow ;„d
Diack are found. In the young of all the species the edges of the nharvn
geal teeth are denticuUte, and in some of them. . ,., L^naZol/us^Ws

Leg. Doc] State Commibsionbbs op Fisheries. 93

condition persists throughout life. Such species are dificult to distinguish
generically, from those of Cyprinella, but the latter possess no grinding

surface.

Species of this genus are found in all the drainage basins of North America.
A. Scales of the anterior parts of the body with exposed faces not much

elevated.

* Mouth inferior, horizontal; teeth 4-4, (Alburnops, Gir.)
f Scales 38-42 on lateral line.

LuxiLUS HUD80NIU8 — CHnton. Fig.

Spawn eater. Silvery, often with dark shades ; snout much shorter than

eye, bluntly rounded ; depth 4 in length ; D. I., 8 ; A. I. 8 ; lat. 1, 37 ; teeth
usually 2, 4-4,2. Lakes and rivers; abundant eastward. {Hudaonius
Jiumatilis, Gir.) Delaware river.

LuxiLUS AMARUS — Oirard. Fig.

*' Smelt." — Very similar, but paler and with the snout much less de-
curved, less blunt than the two preceding species ; D. I., 7 ; A. I., 8 ; lat. 1,
38 ; teeth usually 1,4-4,1. Pennsylvania to Georgia. {H. phaenna, Cope.)

Abundant in the Susquehanna river, especially in the lower part of its
course. A bright sih ciy fish, the largest of the genus.

ff Scales 31-33 on the lateral line.

LuxiLUS PROCNE — Cope.

Scales large; caudal peduncle contracted and slender; dorsal region
compressed and tlcvated ; muzzle very obtuse ; a plumbeous band over
black pigment ; D. L, 8 ; A. L, 7. Pennsylvania, New Jersey, etc., com-
mon ; one of the small species.

Abundant in the tributaries of the Delaware and Susquehanna, avoiding
rapid water. Often seen in aquaria.

** Mouth obii<iut', jaws equal; teeth two rowed. Hydrophlox Jordan.

LuxiLUS CH ALY BJEVS — Cope.

Pigmy minnow.—Muzzle flnt; head 4 in lengtli ; caudal peduncle ab-
ruptly slender, lateral band very distinct, shining black ; A. 1, 8 ; lat. 1. 3*'.
Pcnn., N. J. ; one of the smallest of the Cyprinidae ; length 1\ inches;
(resembles Hemitremia bifrenata.) The males in the spring are brilliantly
colored, the lower parts being largely orange.

Tributaries of the Delaware, especially in dams and ponds.

A A Scales with the exposed surfaces narrowed, vertical, especially an-
teriorly.

* Teeth 2. 4-4. 2 ; fins with red pigment, no white.

LuxiLUS (30RNuru8 — Mitch. Fig.

Common shiner Red-finned shiner. — Rough-head. — Red-fin. Adult

deep steel blue or olivaceous above, with golden vertebral and lateral bands,
very conspicuous in life ; sides silvery, rosy in males in spring ; fins plain

94

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

[No. 20,

olivaceous or somewhat dusky, becoming crimson in spring; young oliva-
ceous and silvery, not closely resembling the adult ; depth 3 to 5 in length
greater than length of head in adults ; head large ; mouth moderately ob-'
hque, the lower jaw not projecting; lateral line much decurved • D 'l 8 •
A. 1, 9 ; lat. 1. 40 to 46 ; L. L. 6. . U. S. from Maine to the Rocky Moun-
tains, everywhere abundant, and extremely variable. The adults may be
known at once by the high and narrow exposed surfaces of the scales •
the young often need close attention. (Plargyrua typicus, Grd. ; L. chy-
socephalus, Raf. ; L. diplemius and plargyrus, Kirt. ; Leuciscus frontalis,
Ag., a stout variety from the great lakes.)

The well known " red-fin" is common in all parts of the State. It is
brilliantly colored in spring but becomes pale in the autumn.
** Teeth 1.4-4.1 ; fins with white pigment ; no red.

LuxiLus ANALOSTANus — Oirard.
Silver fin. I.onden silvery ; fins satin white in the breeding season • dor-
sal with a conspicuous black spot posteriorily f head 4 in length, rather
short and deep ; mouth rather small, very oblique, yet the lower jaw re-
ceived within the upper in the closed mouth ; body much compressed •
depth 3| in length ; D. 1 , 8 ; A. 1 , 8 ; lat. 1. 35 to 40 ; L. 3^. Teeth usually
more or less serrate. Cayuga L., N. Y., (S. H. Gage,) to X. J.. Va., and
ind., abundant. In full breeding dress one of the most exquisite of all our
fishes. L. kentuckiensis, Kirt, not of Raf. Found in all the rivers and
creeks of the State, but least common in those flowing into the Delaware.

LYTHRUEUS.— Jorrfan .

The species of this genus are few, and are distinguished for brilliancy of
color. "^

Lythrurus diplaemius — Raf.
Red.fin.-l'.iin^ht steel-blue, with purplish shades, silvery below; a large
black spot on the anterior rays of dorsal in front ; fins otherwise unicolor
plain olivaceous in 6 , brilliant brick-red in spring males ; scales with more'
or less dark edging; nuptial tubercles minute, very numerous, whitish
chiefly on the upper surface of the head ; body much compressed ; back
elevated ; head deep, rather obtuse ; depth 3f in length ; D. 1, 9 ; A. 1, 10 ;
lat. 1, 44; L. 3. Western streams, generally abundant; an exccedinglv
brilliant fish in the breeding season ; known at all times by the dorsal spot
and compressed body, with large fins and long caudal peduncle. {Rutilus
ruber, Raf) (Not Leuci»cus diplemius, Kirt.) Only known from the
tributaries of the Ohio in Pennsylvania.

PHENAC0BIU8.— Cope.
A genus embracing five or six species from the region east of the plains
They have a general resemblance to the suckers, and doubtless obtain their
food like those fishes, from the bottom. This is however entirelv distinct
in character, being animal instead of vegetable. The name of the genus
has reference to this deceptive resemblance.

Leg. Doc]

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

95

Phenacobius teretulus — Cope.

Head — depth, 4;^ in length ; form stouter than in P. uranops, Cope ;
chest scaled; lips transversely plicate; a dusky lateral band; D. I, 8; A.
I, 7; lat.l. 43.

A pretty species having the lips thrown into transverse ridges like those
of the large-scaled suckers. It has been found in the tributaries of the
Kanawha in West Virginia, and will probably occur in west Pennsylvania.

CLIOLA.— Gird.

A genus near the Alburnus of Europe, represented by about seven species,
all of small size. They are always silvery and without bright colors.

Cliola scabriceps — Cope. Bough-Headed Shiner.

Head broad, prickly in spring ; eye large, 3 in head ; head flattish above ;
mouth little oblique; greenish, sides leaden silvery; D. 1, 8; A. 1,8; lat.
1, 38. Ohio valley and probably in Western Pennsj-lvania.

NOTEOPIS— i?a/. Alburnellus, Giid.

A genus of small species, some of them the least of the cyprinidal allied
to Alburnus. The species are numerous, and are all silvery, some of them
displaying red on the head in spring.

Notropis rlbrifrons — Cope.

Ras3'-faced minnow. — Olive above, w^ith a clear green luster; sides sil-
very ; a dark vertebral line ; forehead, opercular region, base of dorsal, etc.,
flushed with red in spring; upper surface of head minutely tuberculate in
males at that season ; head rather pointed, about 3J in length ; depth 4\ ;
eye about 4 in head ; D. 1, 8 : A. 1, 10 ; lat. 1, 38 ; L. 3 or less. Ohio val-
ley, abundant ; an elegant little fish, well distinguished from N. rubellus by
the smaller size, deeper bodj' and much longer head, as well as by peculi-
arities of form.

Common in West Pennsylvania.

NoTROPlS DINEMU8— iZa/.

Emerald minnow. — Coloration exactly as in M. rubellus^ but the body
very slender and less compressed, more elongated than in any other of our
our cyprinidae, the depth being only from one sixth to one seventh of the
length ; eye 3j^ in head ; fins as in preceding ; L. 4 to 5. Lake Michigan
and Ohio valley, in the larger streams, like the others, going in shoals.
(A.jaculus and A. arge^ Cope.) (This is Rafinesque's "Emerald minnow,"
the type of his genus Minnilus, but the name Notropis is still older.)

Found in rapidly flowing streams and swimming in shoals. The clear
green with the lateral u<>ld thread gives thisspacies an elegant appearance.

Xotropis photogents — Cope.

White-eyed sliincr. — An extremelj- variable species, diftering from all the
preceding in the less posterior position of the dorsal, and in the rather n ore

96

State Commissionbrs of Fisheries.

[No. 20,

compressed form ; depth 4^ to 1 m length; head 4 to 4^ in length ; eye 3^
in head, large and white; olive green ; no red pigment ; sides silver}^ ; male
minutely tuberciilate about the head in spring ; dorsal fin beginning much
nearer caudal than end of muzzle ; D. 1, 8; A. 1, 10 ; lat. I, 40. Streams
of the Allegheny region from Pennsylvania south. (Photogenis leucops,
Cope.) Very abundant in all western streams.

GILA, Bd. Oird. Clinoatomus—Gir.

A genus which embraces a large number of species, especially from the
Rocky Mountain region.

Gila eRngata — Kirtl.

Red-sided minnow. Dark bluish, mottled with paler scales ; sides with
a broad black band, the front half of which is a bright crimson in the
spring ; a dark dorsal stripe ; mouth very large, the lower jaw narrowed
and projecting farther than in any other of the Dace ; a little knob at the
tip which overlaps the end of the upper jaw; body much elongated, but
little compressed ; depth 5 in length ; head 4^ ; eye moderate, about 3^ in
head; D. 1, 8; lat. 1. 70 to 75; L. 4. Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, etc."; a
handsome species, brilliantly colored in spring. AVestern Pennsylvania
only.

Gila funduloides — Oirard.

Rosy dace. A liirht and dark lateral band ; snout pointed ; mandible
shorter than in the i^receding, less compressed ; eye larger, 3 in head ; depth
5 in length; head 4^; D. 1, 9; A. 1, 8; lat. 1.48. Streams about Chesa-
peake Ray and South. The most brilliantly-colored fish known in Penn-
sylvania. It is only alnmdant in the Susquehanna basin, although it occurs
in Delaware streams.

Gila MARGARITAr-C7ope.

Pearl minnow. Head equal depth and 4 in body; scales small, much
crowded forwards ; lateral line hardly complete, the tubes wanting on the
last 3 to 8 scales; head blunt, short and rounded ; mouth quite small, ob-
lique, the upper jaw the longer, the lower jaw not compressed ; color light
olive : sides dusky ; belly in summer bright crimson ; D. I, 8 ; A. I, 8 ; lat.
1.58. Teeth 25—4, 2 ; a stout-bodied species of small size, confined to the
tributaries of the Susquehanna. Colors brilliant.

SEMOTILUS— Raf.

This genus commences the series of those with beards at the angle of the
mouth. In Semotilus they are very small and sometimes abnormally want-
ing. The species are the largest of our Cyprinidse.

♦Dorsal fin well behind the ventrals,with a black spot at the base ; scales
small crowded forward, 45—70 in the lateral line.

Fio. 22. SaImonam<iycu.sh. From
Dt'Kay. See p. 102.

Fig. 23. Sahnofontinulis—MitchWl
From Storer. See p. 102.

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State Commissioners of FisnEsiES.

97

Fio. 24. Osmerus mordax—^litchiW. From Storer. See p. 103.

Semotilus corporalis — Mitch.

Common chtil).— Homed dace. — Body stout ; depth 4^^ in length ; head
large, 3f; dusky above, especially along edges of scales; sides bluish, a
black lateral band in young ; silvery below, sides and fins flushed with
crimson in spring; D. I, 8 ; A. 1, 8 ; lat. 1. 55 to 65 ; L. 10 to 12. New
England (Ilousatonic R. Jordan) to the Missouri region and S.; the most
widely dilFused of our Cyprinidse, excepting Nocomis higuttatus. It may
be known under all circumstances by the large head and the peculiar dorsal
spot. (S. atromaculatus, dorsalis, cephalus, speciosus, etc., etc., of authors.

The most abundant Cyprinoid of the Allegheny and Susquehanna basins ;
not rare in the Delaware. It sometimes roaches four lbs. weight, and is a
fair food fish.

** Dorsal very sliulitly behind ventrals, without black spot at base in
front; scales large. al»niit 50 in lateral line, not much crowded forwards.

Semotilus bullaris — Raf.
Fig. 17.

Fall fish, dace, roach. — Brownish above, with blue reflections; sides sil-
very, rosy in spring; depth 4| in length, head 4 ; D. I, 8 ; A. I, 8 ; lat. 1.
46 to 50 ; largest of our eastern cyprinidiv, reaching a length of 18 inclies.
New England to Virginia, genendly abundant in the rapids of the larger
streams. Semotilus rotheua, argcnteus and pulchellus, auct.

This is a beautiful fish, and the most gamey of the fiimily, taking the
hook with the energy of a trout. It abounds in the Delaware basin, is less
common in the Susfpiehanna, and is absent frum the tributarie*? of the Mis-
sissippi.

NOCOMIS— (?irrf. Ceratichthya—Baird.

This genus correspond to the Palaearctic genus Gobio, but the pharvn-
geal teeth are less nunurous. Tliere are many species, which are distrib-
uted everywhere enst of the Hocky mountains excepting in Xew Encrland.

* Mouth tormin:i!. Inr-f ; teeth 4-4, (rarely 1, 4-4, I ;) dorsal fin over
ventrals.

XoCOMlS BiaUTTATUS — Ktrtl.

Homed chub; jerker. — Bluish olive, sides with bright green and coi)perv
reflections; a curved blotch behind the opercle ; fins, pale orange, unspot-
ted ; white below, rasy in spring ; adult males in the spring with the top
of the head very much swollen, elevated into a sort of crest, sometimes
ifearly one third of an inch higher than the level of the neck, covered with
large tubercles; a stout species, with large scales which are not crowded
anterierly ; young witli a dark ctuidal spot ; head 4 in length ; depth nearly
the same ; D. I, 8 ; A. I, 7 ; lat. 1.40 to 45 ; L. 6 to 9. IVnn. to Utah and
S.; abundant almost everywhere; the most widely diffused of all our fresh
water fishes. Breeding males sometimes have a red spot on each side head,
hence the specific name. Not found in the Delaware basin, but common
everywhere west and south of it. A good pan fish.
7 Fish Rep.

98

State Commissioners op Fisheries.

[No. 20,

Leg. Doc] State Commissioners op Fisheries.

99

NOCOMIS MICROPOGON — GopC.

Head short, almost exactly as in Luxilus cornutus ; barbel small ; caudal
peduncle slender; teeth 4 — 4; lat. 1.40. Conestoga R.; but one specimen
known — perhaps a hybrid.

** Mouth subinferior, rather small, the upper jaw the longer; size not
large; teeth 4 — 4, or 1,4 — 4, 1.

f Dorsal fin in a<lvance of ventrals.

a. Lateral line 36 to 40; head short; lips little developed; teeth 1,
4—4, 1.

NocoMis DissiMiLis — Kirtl.
Spotted Shiner. — Pale olivaceous, sides bright silvery, with a bluish lat-
eral band, widened at intervals into spots ; fins immaculate ; depth 5 in
length ; head 4 ; eye large, 3^ in head ; D. I, 8 ; A. I, 7 ; lat. 1.47 to 60 ;
L. 6. Ohio valley and lake region, not uncommon. Especially numerous
in the creeks of Western Pennsylvania.

BHINICHTHYS— ^ <7a««.

A genus which includes as yet only small species, which are distinguished
by the non-protractility of the upper jaw. The muzzle is usually promi-
nent.

* Snout projooting considerably beyond the mouth ; body slender, depth
usually 5 to 6 in length ; barbels evident.

R HI XICHTH YS cataract AE — C, V.

Long-nosed Dace — Brownish, mottled, not banded ; eye halfthe length of
the long snout ; head 3| in length ; D. I, 8 ; A. I, 7 ; lat. 1.63 ; L. 6. New
England to \'a. and AVls. [i2. nasutus^ (Ayres) Ag.J Found only in
rapids and swilt water in Eastern Pennsylvania.

** Snout scarcely projecting; body stout, depth 4-6 times in length ;
barbels minute.

Rhinichthys atronasus — Mitch.

Fig. 18.

Black-nosc<l dace. — Dusky, belly silvery ; lateral band bright crimson in
spring, becoming orange in summer, black at other times ; fins often rosy in
spring; depth 4I| in length; head 3f ; D. 1,8; A. I, 7; lat. 1.66. New
England to Ohio v.illey,in clear brooks ; abundant eastward.

A very connnon tisli in Eastern Pennsylvania and an ornament to aquaria.
The rays of the pectoral fin are much thickened in males.

Rhinichthys obtusus — Agass.
Brown-nosc<l ducc. — Similar ; sides with a brown band, edged above and
below with pnlci ; head 4 or more in length ; D. I, 8 ; A. I, 8 ; lat. 1.63 to
to. Western streams. Usually paler than the preceding and more robust
in form ; probably a variety rather than a distinct species. In Pennsyl-
vania in the West only.

COCHLOBOBI.

But one genus of this sub-family is known.

EXOGLOSSUM— flo/.
But one species is known. Its peculiarly formed lower jaw is apparently
an adaptation for scraping molluscs from their hold on rocks. Its stomach
is generally found to contain these animals, the shells being crushed to
pieces.

ExoGLOssuM MAXiLLiNOUA — Lesusur.

Exoglossnm — Chub — Cut-lips — Nigger chub Body stout; depth 4^

in length, head 4; eye small, nearly 6 in head; dorsal behind, midway
between snout and caudal ; dusky above, a blackish shade along caudal
peduncle ; D. I, 8 ; A. 1 , 8 ; lat. 1. 50 to 55 ; L. 4 to 6. W. N. Y. (Susque-
hanna basin) to Virginia ; a fish of remarkable appearance, singularly dis-
tinguished from all our other Cyprinidae by the three-lobed lower jaw.
The limited distribution of this fish is one of its peculiarities. In Penn-
sylvania it is confined to the Susquehanna basin, where it is abundant.

COELOPHOBI.

This sub-family is entirely North American. But one genus is known.

EBICYMBA— Cope.

A genus of a single species. It repeats in the Cyprinidae the peculiar
cranial sectary ridges of the genus of fresh- water Percidae, Acerina^ of the
Palsearctic fauna.

Ericymba buccata — Cope. Silver-mouthed Dace.
Eloncrnto ; depth nearly 5 in length ; head 4 ; eye large, 3 in head ; oli-
vaceous above, sides brilliantly silvery, a narrow vertebral line, and a lat-
eral chain of brown dots ; upper jaw rather large, its profile angulated ;
mucous channels in lower jaw very conspicuous; D. 1, 8: A. 1, 8; lat. 1.
33; L. 6. Ohio valley, Penn., to Kentucky, and Illinois, abundant. A
beautiful little fish, singularly distinguished from all other species by the
cavernous bones of the head. Not found in Atlantic streams.

ISOSPONDYLI

Parietals separate ; symplectic present ; no interclavicles. Anterior ver-
tebrae simple, unmodified. Pharyngeal bones separate above and below.

An extensive order, presenting many subordinate modifications.

L Tail sub-protocercal ; pterotic externally annular, enclosing a larj^e
cavity ; basis cranii double. . . . Notopteridae.

2. Tail heterocercal ; pterotic normal ; basis cranii double ; superior
pharygeals four, distinct ; third largest, directed forwards ; basal branchi-
hyals three, (typical.)

a. Parietals united.

( Hyodontidae.
Two tail vertebrae, J Albulidae.

( Elopidae.

100 State Commissioners of Fisheries. [No. 20,

( Aulopidae.

One tail vertebra, ] Coregonidse.

( Lutodiridae.

( Gonorhynchidse.
No tail vertebra, \Sauridx.

aa. Parietals separated by supraoccipital.

(f Alepocephalidse.
Two tail vertebrae, ^ Salmonidee.

( Chirocentridse.
One tail vertebra, -^ (Jlupeidee.

3. Tail lieterocercal ; pterotic normal ; basis cranii simple.
Basal branchihyals and superior phar^-ngeals, each three : . Osteoglossidae.

{ Qalaxiidse.
The same bones each two, -- ^lelerotidse.

Of the above families but four are found in the fresh waters of this State.
These are distinguished as follows :

I. Upper jaw formed of premaxillary bone only.

An adipose fin ; scales ctenoid ; Percopsidae,

II. Upper jaw formed of maxillary and premaxillary bones.

An adipose fin ; pseudobranchije present ; . . . . Salmonidae.

No adipose fin ; pseudobranchiie none ; stomach simple : . llyodonlidae.
No adipose fin ; pseudobranchia? present ; stomach with a blind sac ;

Clupeidae.

PERCOPSIDJE.

But one genus of this family is known. The characters are essentially
those of the Salmonidae, but the bones of the mouth are those of a cypri-
noid or a percoid.

PERCOPSIS— /^5'«««'

This genus further resembles the perches in having a serrate preopercu-
lum. The jaw-teetli nie villiform. and there are none on the vomer or
palate. There is l»ui <»ne well-ascertained species, and this has a wide range.

pERCOPsis GUTTATUS — Agass.
Depth 4i in h-n-th ; head 3|j ; silvery, almost pullucid ; upper parts with
rounded dark spots made up of minute dots; D. 11 ; A. 7 ; L. 10; great
lakes ; Ohio R. (Jordan ;) Potomac R. (Baird) ; Delaware II. (Abbott.) A
rare species in Pennsylvania.

SALMONIDiE — Salmoii.

The salmon and trout family embraces a large number of fresh water
fishes of economic importance than any other. The genera found in Penn-
sylvania are as follows :

I. Dentition strong.
Pyloric caeca luunerous ; anal fin long, with fourteen or more rays,

Oncorhynchus.
Pyloric caeca numerous ; anal fin short, with twelve rays or fewer, . Salmo.
Pyloric caeca few ; anal fin short, Osmerus.

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State Commissioners of Fisheries.

101

II. Dentition weak or wanting.

Dorsal fin short ; pyloric caeca numerous, Coregonus.

Dorsal fin long ; pyloric caeca numerous, Thymallus,

Of the salmon family, the brook-trout (Salmo fontinalis) is our best
known species. This fish, if properly protected, will always be important
to the inhabitants of the mountainous portions of our State, where other
species. are less abundant. It cannot fail to be valued, if allowed to in-
crease sufficiently, by that class of our people who in those rough countries
may find beef and mutton more or less expensive, or otherwise beyond
their reach. The sea salmon {S. salar) will perhaps never be an important
feature of our fisheries. The Hudson is its southern limit of migration,
and it has been extremely rare there for a very long peried. The Dela-
ware has rarely furnished a specimen ; and though the experiment of cul-
tivation in our waters is certainly- worth trying, it would probably only re-
sult in the production of a smaller breed of limited numbers. Southern
latitude always produces this effect on northern forms of fish. The trans-
planting to the Susquehanna would most likely fail, while it is utterly use-
less to try it in the Allegheny. The tributaries of the Ohio are entirely
without any resident species of trout, except in a few of the highest moun-
tain streams. The whitefish {Coregonus) of the lakes are too valuable to
be neglected, and our Fish Commissioners have followed the example of
those of Ohio in forbidding the destructive modes of fishing for them
practised in Lake Erie. Our smaller lakes in the north and west of the
State pro])ably harbor several small but useful species of whitefish.

California furnishes species which are most useful to the pisciculturist.
The (piinnat (Oncorhynchus quinnat^ is selected as the most hardy, and its
propagation is already an important branch of industry.

ONCORHYNCHXTS—Smc/. /ey.
The species of this genus are confined to the coasts of the Pacific ocean,
and run up the rivers to breed in immense numbers. They furnish an im-
portant part of the food of the people of the Pacific states of North Amer-
ica. One species has been introduced into the eastern states by the United
States fish commission.

Oncoriiynciius qui nnat — Jiich'dsn,
Fig. 19.

Body moderately compressed, rather short and deep ; caudal fin well
forked. Scales large, in 120 — 140 transverse rows. Branchiostegal rays,
15. Olivaceous above, silvery below ; back and sides with numerous small
black spots, interspersed on the back with large ones. Snout of males in
spring distorted, the premaxilliaries greatly prolonged, hooking over the
the lower jaw, which is turned up and hooked at the tip. The teeth on
these prolongations are much enlarged.

Abundant on the pacific coast, inhabiting waters of higher temperature
than those necessary for the Salmo aalar. It should thrive in the Dela-
ware and Susquehanna rivers, where it has been introduced.

lOS

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

[No. 20,

SALMO— //inn.
Only two species of this genus are indigenous to Pennsylvania.
* Anadromous salmon Avith the vomerine teeth few and deciduous ; no
hyoid teeth.

Salmo salar — L.

Fig. 20.

Great sea salmon. — Xo red spots ; young (known as Parr or Smolt) with
dusky cross bars ; mules in the spawning season with the lower jaw strongly
decurved and hooked; body covered with black and red patches ; others
silvery, with small black dots ; eleven or twelve scales in a transverse series
from behind the adipose fin obliquely forward to the lateral line ; D. 14 ;
A. 11 ; hit. 120. Northern Europe and America, S. to Cape Cod.

The salmon was rarely caught as far south as the Hudson river in former
times. At present is slowly increasing in the Delaware through trans-
plantation.

** lUver and lake salmon, with their vomerine teeth largely developed.
No hyoid teeth.

Salmo irideus — Gibbons. California Trout.

Fig. 21.
Form stout, head short, rather blunt ; mouth small, the maxillary bone
scarcely reaching the eye. Fins and tail black, spotted ; a few small black
spots on the back and ribs. Sides and belly rosy, red, or silvery.

Abundant in California and Oregon; introduced into Pennsylvania by
the State Commission, and planted in the Susciuehanna river.

*** Lake trout with vomerine teeth raised on the crest of a bone : hvoid
teeth.

Salmo namaycush — Block.
Fig. 22.

Mackinaw Trout—Great Lake Trout. — Stout; head very large, 3^ in
length ; bones of head strong ; posterior point of juncture of opercle and
sub-opercle much nearer the upper end of t!ie gill opening than to the lower
anterior angle of the sub-opercle ; teeth strong ; fins large, the caudal
deeply forked ; color greyish, more or less spotted, varying much with cir-
cumstances; I). 13 to 14 ; A. 12; V. 9; lat. 1.220; length 2 to 6 feet. All
the great lakes, north to the Arctic Sea; a fish of firmer fiesh. (S. ame-
thystus^ Mitch.)

Occurring in Lnko Erie, this species belongs to the Pennsylvania fanna.

**** Vomer Hat. toothless, no hyoid teeth. River and creek species.

Salmo fontinalis Mitchill.

Fig. 23.
Sjieckled Trout. — Mouth wide; teeth moderate : body olivaceous, varia-
gated with blackish, with red spots; lower fins usually orange with black
spots and edges; colors variable; young barred; I>. 12; lat. 1.200. A
well-known and beautiful fish, in clear brooks from the French Broad R.
to the Arctic regions.

Leo. Doo.]

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

103

The most beautiful game fish of the State, abundant in the mountains
and the eastern counties everywhere, in clear water.

OSMEBUS— Z,tnnaeu4 — Smelts.

OSMERUS mordax — Mitch.

Fig. 24.

Common Smelt. — Head 4 in length ; e^^e 4 to 4^ in head ; teeth stout,

especially large on the tongue; transparent greenish, a silvery band along

sides; scales very loose; D. 11; A. 15; lat. 1.66. Coast Nova Scotia to

Virginia ; also " land-locked " in fresh water ponds in Maine, etc. ( O.

viridescens — Mitch.) Common in spring in the Delaware and Schuylkill

rivers. An excellent pan fish. J

THYMALLUS-CttW.
A genus which embnieos a few species of the Northern Hemisphere. The
American forms are ncaily allied to each other.

TiiYMALLUS tricolor — Cope,
Fig. 25.
Michigan Grayling. — Depth 4| in length ; head about the same ; purplish
gra^', silvery below ; dorsal with rosy markings and rows of green or blue
spots ; D. 27 ; A. 13 ; lat. 2.97. Waters of the north part of the S. penin-
sula of Michigan; a beautiful fish. It has been propagated in New York
and other States, and some have been introduced into Pennsylvania waters.
An excellent food and game fish, but rather delicate.

COREGONUS — Limi.

The white fishes form an important article of food in all northern coun-
tries.

§ Lower jaw lougi-st ; Clscoes. {Argyrosomus^ Agassiz.) Body sub-
fusi form; depth 4 t* 5 in length.

(oiiKcioNUS ARTEDi — Ltnn.

Lake Herring-. — Ifiad 4^ in length (4| to 5{ ;) depth 4 (3§ to 4.^ ;) eye
4 in head ; maxillary 3^ to 3f ; mandible 2^ ; scales rather large and loose;
bluish above, silvery on sides and below ; D, 12 ; A. 13 ; lat. 1, 76 ; length
12 to is inches. Great lakes, etc., very abundant ; a shallow water species.
Coregonus albus, clujrfformis^ lucidus^ harengus, etc., of authors. Com-
mon in Lake Erie.

** Upper jaw project lug beyond the lower. (Coregonus proper.)

Coregonus albus — Lesueur.
Fig. 26.

Lake white fish. — Depth 3i in length ; head small, 5^ ; eye 4 in head, about
as long as snout ; form varying much with age, sex and food ; the back
generally elevated, and the sides compressed ; pale olive above ; sides white ;
D. 13 ; A. 13 ; lat. 1. 75 to 86. Great lakes and bodies of water tributary
to them, north to the Arctic Sea. This species is the basis of an extensive
industry in the region of the great lakes. It is, in the writer's estimation,
the best fresh-water table-fish of North America, but must be eaten fresli
from the water.

104

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

[No. 20,

HYODONTIDAE.

There is but one genus of this familj', which is confined to Xorth America.

HYODON-Lcsuer.
* Belly scarcely carinate ; dorsal rays 12. (^Hyodon.)

Hyoden tergisus — Lea.

Moon eye — Silver bass — Toothed herring Depth 3^ in length ; head

4f ; snout rounded, shorter than the large e\'e, which is 3^ in head ; scales
largest on the flanks ; pale olivaceous above, sides brilliantly silvery ; D. 3,
12; A. 30; V. t; lat. 1. 59; length 1 foot. Great lakes and Mississippi
Valley, abuniant ; one of our most beai^tiful fresh-water fishes ; iariable ; it
has been described under many names. Not found in the Susquehanna or
Delaware rivers.

CLUVEVbl^— Herring.

The family of the herring is not less useful to man than the that of the
Salmonidae, but unlike it, is principally marine in distribution. Many
species however ascend rivers in spring to deposit their spawn, and at that
time they furnish food for great numbers of people. There is much variety
of type in the Clupeidae, certain forms ranging near the Elopidae^ which
in turn are not far removed from the order Halecomorphi (Amia.) A
genus, Diplomystus, allied to Clupea, is found in abundance in the shades
of the lower Eocene period in the Rocky mountain region. The important
family of the (SawrocfonhWaf? which abounded in North America and Europe
during the cretaceous period is allied to the Clupeidae.

The most valuable food-fishes in the State are members of the Clupeidae.
Two species of little value occur in the Allegheny ; but those of the Atlan-
tic streams are important. The shad, Cluj)ea sapidisAima, is well known to
the inhabitants of our eastern cities as the best of table-fishes. It had been
almost exterminated from the Susquehanna, but legislation has restored it.
In the Delaware, it is still abundant, but reduced, and further legislation is
needed to protect it. The herring (Clupea pseudoharengus,) or proi)erly,
ale-wife, is, immensely numerous, and is caught in the Delaware and Sus-
quehanna. The fisheries at the mouth of the latter river supply an exten-
sive region.

An anchovy {Engraulis vittatus) visits the Delaware river and Bay in
immense numbers every spring, and might furnish quite as large a supply
of food as the European species of the same name.

The genera of Clupeidjc which enter Pennsylvania waters are the follow-
ing:

!• Upper jaw not overlapping the lower ; abdomen serrated.

An accessory branchial sac, Breuurtia.

No accessory branchial sac, Clupea.

II. Mouth transverse inferior or sub-inferior; abdomen serrated ;

Last dorsal ray filamentous ; branchial arches with a double bend,

Dorysoma.

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State Commissioners op Fisheries.

105

III. Mouth very wide ; intermaxillary bone very small, coossified with

the maxillary, which is very long ;

Muzzle very short, projecting beyond the mouth ; belly not serrate,

Engraulis-
BREVUETIA— Gt7«.

A genus of siKcit-^ from the coasts of North and South America.

Brevurtia menhaden — Mitch.

D. 19. d. 1'.) — "20. v. 7. Scales irregularly arranged ; their free portion is
very narrow and deep, with the margin ciliated. The height of the body
is rather less than the length of the head, which is one third of the total,
(without caudal.) Lower jaw shutting within the upper ; maxillary reach-
ing to the vertical from the hind margin of the orbit. No teeth on the
palate or tongue. Operculum finely striated ; suboperculum large, tapering
above. Gill rakers very fine and exceedingl}' long ; the horizontal branch
of the outer branchial arch consists of two portions joined at an obtuse
angle. Ventral fins opposite to the anterior third of the dorsal, the origin
of which is somewhat nearer to the caudal than to the end of the snout.
Basal half of the caudal fin covered with small scales. There are from
twelve to thirteen abdominal scutes behind the base of the ventral fin?. A
blackish blotch in the scapular^- region.

This fish ascends the Delaware for a short distance in spring in large

numbers. As is well known, it visits the coast of the eastern ard middle

States in immense shoals, and is caught for the manufacture of oil, manure,

etc.

CLTIPEA— 7>iw7i.

A genus of some sixty species from all seas. Man}' of them. e. gr., the
herring and shad, reproduce in incredible numbers, and furnish food for
many other fishi-s. nnd for man.

Ciri'EA SAPiDissiMA — WUson.

Shad. — Head ^\ in length ; eye 5 in head ; bluish, sides silvery with a
few large indistinct blackish spots; scales large; D. 18 ; A. 21 ; V. 9 ; lat.
1.68. Newfoundland to Florida, entering rivers; also, lately introduced
into western streams; a valuable food fish. {Alosa praesfabilis^ De K.)
Ascends the Delaware in great numbers. Was formerly abundant in the
Susquehanna, but was extirpated by the erection of dams. It is likely to
become abundant again througli the exertions of the State Fish Commis-
sion. The most injportant indigenous food fish of the State.

('l,rPEA P8EUDOHARENGU8 — Wth.

Fig. 27.

Alewife ; Gaspereau. — Spring herring. Head 5 in length ; eye 4 in head;
bluish, sides irridescent, D. 18; A. 18; V. 9; New Foundland to Florida,
entering rivers, sometimes land-locked in ponds; a common food fish. A.
tyrannus, De K. Alosa cyanonoton^ Stor, etc. etc.) It ascends the Dela-

106

Stats Commissioners of Fisheries.

[No. 20,

ware and Siisqnehamia and their tributary streams in great numbers in
spring. An import;! at lierring fishery is located at the mouth of the latter
river.

Clupea chrysochloris — Raf.

Ohio golden sh;ul, skip jack. Jaws with distinct teeth ; head 4 in length ;
eye i\ in head ; body elliptical, much compressed ; scales large, high, rather
firm ; depth of head 5^ in length of body ; caudal peduncle about twice
width of eye ; brilliant blue, with green and golden reflections, silvery
below; D. 18 ; A. 18 ; lat. 1. 55 ; 17 scutes behind ventrals. Ohio R. and
lower Mississippi ; a handsome species; of little value as food. Western
Pennsylvania only.

DOBYSOMA— /2a/.
Chatoensus — Cuvier.

A genus of soverul species, mostly from the East Indian seas.

DoilYiSOMA CEPEDIANUM — LeS.

Hickory shad, (iizzanl shad. Head 4 in length; depth 2f ; origin of
dorsal behind ventrals, nearer snout than caudal; uniform bluish gray;
often with a dark shoulder blotch; D. 13; A. 32; lat. 1. 55. Cape Cod to
Hatteras ; chiefly marine, but often land-lockedin ponds, where it becomes
D. insociable. Abbott.

ENOBAULIS— Cut;.

The anchovies are very numerous in species, and inhabit all seas. They
are readily distinguished by the enormous mouth, short muzzle, and ante-
riorly placed eye, with the long anal fin.

Knuraulis vittatus — Milchill,
Fig. 28.

Anchovy.— Length three and a half inches. I). 8 ; P. 17 ; V. 5 ; A. 14 ;
C. 18; Head elongated, sharp, wedge-shaped ; broad above posteriorly, at-
tenuated below. Length of the head one fifth the length of the body, and
a third longer than the greatest depth of the body ; its greatest width
above one third its length, its width below a mere line. Eyes large, situ-
ated on the anterior third of the head ; their diameter \,i equal to two thirds
of the distance between them. Jaws unequal ; the ui)per much the longer,
and nearly concealing the lower, which shuts into it as into a groove. .laws
armed with very minute teeth. Gill-covers elongated, yet rounded. Scales
very large and deciduous.

Color: Top of head bluish-slate ; backlight green, dotted with fuligin-
ous. A greenish blue stripe high up on the side, shadowed out on the
head from the upper orbit of the eye, more defined above the posterior
operde, and thence extending nearly to the tail. Sides below greenish-sil-
very, with metallic reflections. (Jill-covers and abdomen silvery, with
nacreous iridescence.

Ascends the Delaware river in shoals in spring, filling the ditches at some
localities. An elegant fish.

Leg. Doc]

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

107

HAFLOMI.

No praecoracoid arch. Parietal bones separated by the supraoccipital.
A symplectic ; opercular bones present ; anterior vertebrt« unaltered.
Pharyngeal bones distinct, the superior directed forwards, three or four
in number. No interclavicles.

The species of this order are not so numerous as those of the last, but
they include the pike, which are among the most important fresh water
fishes. The families are defined as follows :

1. Basis cranii double ; maxillary entering mouth border, . . . Emcidae.

2. Basis cranii simple ; maxillary bounding mouth, ... Umbridae.

3. Basis cranii simple; mouth bounded by premaxillary only ; third upper

pharyngeal enlarged.

a. Vent posterior, Vyprinodontidae.

b. Vent between the jaws, Ambl yopsidae.

The species of this order are all of fresh or brackish water habitat.

ESOCIDAE— PlAre.
There is but one genus of this family, and it contains but eight or ten
species. The majority of these belong to North America. Six of these
are indigenous to Pennsylvania waters, but one of these is identical with
a species of the old world.

E80X— Lfnn.

There is much diflference of opinion as to the merits of the pike, and their
fitness to receive State protection. Two species occur in the Delaware,
{Eaoj- reticulatus and E. porosus ;) three in the Susquehanna, (the same
with E. umbrosus,) and three in the Allegheny, (the two last and E. no6i-
lior.) Those of the latter river are scarcely worth considering, as they are
few in number. The E. reticulatus of the east is, however, a large and
abundant fish, which sells well, and is generally esteemed. For ourselves,
we do not join the condemnation visited on the pike by some, and have a
liking for its flesh. If its increase can be restrained, instead of favored, in
waters which produce the best species, it will cease to inflict much injury
by its voracious habits, for it naturally haunts still or grassy waters, where
it devours fishes inferior to itself, as eels, and catfish, and frogs. On the
other hand, we do not think the pike needs any protection, as he has many
natural advantages in the struggle for life ; but he should not be destroyed,
except for the table.

* Lower half of ducks as well as opercles scaleless; branch iostegals
18-19.

Esox NOBiLioR — Thompson.
Fig. 29.

Muskallunge — Blue Pike. — Top of head without a longitudinal cavity ;
Cheeks as well as opercles half bare ; grayish with round black sjiots ; a
magnillcient fish, reaching a length of 6 feet; B. 18; D. 3, 17 ; A. 3, 15;
lat. 1, 155. Great lakes, etc. E. estor of some authors.

108

State Commissioners op Fisheries.

[No. 20,

This is the largest species of the genus, and the largest game fish of
America. Specimens of sixty pounds weight have been caught. An indi-
vidual taken in Conneaut Lake, in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, measured
seventeen inches in circumlVience behind the eyes.

** Lower half of clicks scaly, of opercle bare; branchiostegal rays
16-16. « J >

Esox LUCIUS — Linn.
Fig. 30.
Lake Pike— Gims< Pike. -Cheeks entirely scaly; depth t in length;
head 3^, with a median frontal concavity ; olive gray ; sides with round
yellowish spots as large as peas ; each scale with a shining V-shaped mark
opening downward; B, 15; I). 20; A. It; lat. 1, 122. Great lakes and
headwaters of the Mississippi. A fine species, reaching a length of 3 to 4
feet. {E. estor, lucioides, boreus, etc., of authors.) An abundant species
in the great lakes, and an important article of commerce. It is the same
as the common pike of P:urope, as the writer was the first to show. Not
found in Ohio or Atlantic streams.

*** Cheeks and opercles scaly; branchiostegals 12 to 15; species of
moderate or small size, reticulated or barred with dark green on a lighter
ground— sometimes pin in. (Pickerels.)

t Branchiostegals 14 to 15; snout prolonged; front of eye nearly mid-
way in head.

E s' • x RETicuL ATUs — Lesueur.
Fig. 31.
Cominr>n (.istem pickerel.— Green pike.— Head 31 in length ; the sn»>ut
much prolonged ; front of eye about midway in head ; eye more than three
times in snout ; green, sides with net-work of brown streakes ; B. 14 to 16 ;
I). 16 to 18; A. 15 to 17; lat. 1. 129 to 130. Streams of Atlantic States
abundant, but not found far in the interior; smaller than the preceding,
but much larger than the next. The common pike of the markets of the
eastern cities, and pickcnl of the interior, a good food-fish, but destructive
to other species.

ft Branchiostegals normally 12; front of eye nearer tip of snout than
gill border.

Esox SALMON EUS — Rof.

Little Picken!.— Western trout pickerel.

End of muzzle 1 > pectoral fin, longer than from pectoral to ventral fin ;
same to orbit, equal from orbit to opercular margin ; scales l)etween pec'
toralsand ventrals small; 44—50 rows. Olivaceous green above; white
below ; sides with njany reticulations and curved streaks, instead of bars ;
a black streak in front of eye as well as below ; B. 12 ; D. 13 ; A. 14 ; lat!
112. Western streams, abundant in the Ohio valley. (E. umbrosas, Kirt-
land.) Resembles E. reticulatus more than E. americanus. Found also
in the Susquehanna river.

Leg. Doc]

State Commissioners op Fisheries.

109

Esox porosus — Cope.

End of muzzle to pectoral longer than from pectoral to ventral ; same to
orbit less than from orbit to opercular margin ; scales between ventrals and
pectorals small, 44—50 rows. Abdominal and most lateral scales perfor-
ated by tubes like those of the lateral line. Head four times in length to
end of caudal fin. Anal rays, III. 12; scales, 11. 109—113. 12.

Broad brown bars directed obliquely forwards on the sides, which may
be divided into more numerous black lines.

A small species from eastern Pennsylvania, found in still water.

JCsox CYPiio — Cope.

End of muzzle to pectoral fin longer than from pectoral to ventral ; same
to orbit less than from orbit to opercular margin ; scales between ventrals
and pectorals small, 44—50 rows. Anal rays. III. 12; scales, 11. 109—113.
12. Length of head three and one half times in length to end of caudal fin.
Sides with broad oblique brown cross-bars. Difters from the last species
in its wide and convex back, and in the absence of the tubes from the scales
excepting those of the lateral line.

Western States, probably Western Pennsylvania, a smal species.

TIMBSIDAE.
A family which includes but one genius and few species.

UMBRA.— A'ramer. Melanura, Agas^iz.

A genus of three species, one European {U. krameri), and two North
American.

Umbra Lnn—Kirtland.
Mud minnow — Mud dace.— Dog fish.— Depth about 4 in length ; head 3.V ;
head rather large, flattish above ; greenish or dark olive, sides with narrow
pale bars, often secure; a distinct black bar at base of caudal ; I). 14 ; A.
9 ; V. 6 ; lat. 1.35 ; length 2 to 4 inches. Lake Champlain to Minnesota,
chiefly northivard and westward ; most abundant in Wisconsin ; rare in
Ohio valley ; probably found in Northwestern J'ennsylvania ; usually as-
sociated with Kuenlia inconstans.

rxiiiuA PYQMAEA — De Kay.
Eastern mud minnow— Dai k brown with longitudinal streaks and no
trace of cross-bars ; body less compressed than in AL limi ; head broader,
less depressed, with larger eye ; snout shorter ; profile more gibbous ; D.
13 ; A. 7 ; lat. 1.35. New York to S. C, only in Atlantic streams. Very
common near Philadelphia. An interesting and hardy fish in aquaria.

CTPRINODONTIDJE.
A family of wide distribution, of which the majority of the species in-
habit brackish water. A few are marine coast fishes, and others are purely
fresh water.

The genera found in our waters are the following :

110 State Commissioners op Fisheries. [No. 20,

I. Teeth pointed, in bands.

* Dorsal tin beginning in advance of anal.

Brancliiostegals, «, Hvdrargyra.

Branchiostegals, 5, . . Fundulus.

** Dorsal fin beginning behind front of anal

Branchiostegals, 5, Zygonectes.

HYDEAEOYBA.— i^ac.

Hydrarqyra majalis — Block Schn.
B. 6; D. 13-16; A. 11; V. 6; L. lat. 35; L. trasv. 13. The height of
the body is one fourth of the total length, (without caudal,) the length of
the head two sevenths. Head low, and rather elongate, with the snout
produced, the lower jrw scarcely projecting beyond the upper; mandible
longer than the eye. The width of the interorbital space is contained twice
and three fifths in the length of the head. The diameter of the eye is two
thirds of the length of the snout or the width of the interorbital space, and
one fifth of the length of the head. The origin of the dorsal fin is midway
between the extremity of the caudal and the anterior or posterior margin
of the orbit, and corresponds to the sixteenth scale of the lateral line. The
first anal ray corresponds to the second of the dorsal fin. Anal much
higher than long. Greenish, with three more or less interrupted irregular
longitudinal bands in the female, and with many broad cross-bands in the

male.

The common constwise species, largest of our Cyprinodontidae, probably
ascending thr i> hiware as far as the boundary of the State.

rUWDTJLUS— />ac.

Fundulus diaphanus — Lesueur,
Barred Killiiisli.— Spring Mummichog. Sides silvery olive, with twelve
to fifteen distiiK t, narrow, blackish, vertical bars ; head rather narrow ; D.
13 ; A. 13 ; Int. 1 . 42. Coastwise, abundant, but ascending streams to their
sources, henco l-.tindin clear springs as far inland as Michigan (Cope,) AVis-
consin (Coix'l.md,) Illinois, Colorado (Yarrow.) Texas (Cope.) etc. [F.
multi fascial Hi* ( Les.) Val.] This Cyprinodont has the widest range of the
family in Norili Aiiu'rica. Common.

Fundulus heteroclitus — Linn.
A common s,u'(K's of the coast, ascending streams; D. 11 ; A. 11 ; lat*
1,35. Dc'la\vjii<' liver.

Fundulus pisculentus — Mitch.
T). 12-14: A. 13; lat. 1,34; body more elongate; coastwise, ascend-
ing streams. l><l;iwarc river.

Fundulus nigrofasciatus — Les.
D. 10; A.^»: lat. 1,33; males with numerous silvery cross bars ; females
with black oms. With the preceding. Delaware river.

Leg. Doc]

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

Ill

ZT(M)NECT£8— ^<7a««.

The species of this genus are, in North America, more especially fresh
water in habitat than those of Fundulus. >•

Zygonectes notatus — Raf.
Black-sided Killifish. Top minnow, '^epth 4^ in length ; head 4 ; head
broad, depressed ; clear pale olive with a few dots above ; a wide purplish-
black band along sides from snout through eye to caudal, its margin usuall}'
serrated; D. 9; A. 11; lat. 1.34; length 2^ inches. Mississippi Valley,
abundant. (Z. pulchellus and tenellus, Grd. F. aureus Cope. Z. oliva-
ceus, Ag., etc.)

OLANENCHELI.

Parietal bones extensively in contact, distinct ; pterotic normal ; a sym-
plectic. Opercular bones complete ; mouth bounded by premaxillary
chiefly- ; six or seven basilar pectoral rays ; No praecoracoid or interclavi-
cles. Anterior vertebra united, modified and with ossicyla auditus. Supe-
rior pharyngeal bones subequal, continuous.

This order includes onl}' the family Gymnotidae^ the electric eels of
South America. No species is known from North America.

ICHTHYOCEPHALI.

Epiclavicle suspended to posttemporal and to cranium ; mouth bounded
above by premaxillaries, which are in contact on the median line, and in
contact with a distinct maxillary by the posterior margin ; no interneural
spines, pectoral fins, or symplectic bone ; two basal branchihyal pairs.
Vertebra; unaltered. Two pairs basihyals.

This order only includes the family 3Ionopteridae, which are confined to
the East Indies.

HOLOSTOMI.

Epiclavicle suspended to fourth vertebra, posttemporal wanting. Parie-
tals in contact. Mouth bounded by the premaxillaries, which are in con-
tact medially and bounded behind by maxillary. Symplectic present ; ver-
tebne unaltered ; no pectoral. Third superior pharyngeal not smaller than
fourth.

One family, the Symbranchidae from the tropics of both hemispheres.

ENCHELYCEFHALI.

Parietals in contact ; lower pair of basihyals wanting. Scapular arch
suspended to anterior vertebnv ; no posttemporal; no symplectic; max-
illary bone absent or comate with premaxillary, which forms border of
mouth. Premaxillaries separated on the median line by the ethmoid. Su-
perior branchihyals and inferior and superior pharyngeals well developed ;
the latter of three bones. Of these the fourth is largest and supports the
third, which with the second is directed forwards.
1. Palatopterygoid arch completed : pectoral fins, Congridae.

112

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

[No. 20,

Common
r. S., chi( il

2. Palatoptervi^oid arch represented by incomplete "i
ptervgoid ; prein:i\iil:iru s; are widelv separated ; pee- V-
toral fins, . . ' . . . . . .. ) ^

The only family of tlii- < I'lor represented in the fresh waters of North

America is that of the AnguiUidae,

AHGUIILIDAE— i^c?*.

Body mncli « Ion-ate; vent posterior; pectoral fins present; vertical
fins confluent. -I' inach coecal. Two or three genera.

ANGUIIIA— 37«rrt6.
Anguilla rostrata — Les.

I — Even distance between dorsal and anal shorter than head,
coastwise, but ascending all rivers and introduced into the
great lak* <. {A. boat onien sin ^ etc., of authors.) But one species is recog-
nizable in the Northern Hemisphere, acconling to a recent French writer,
M. Dareste, whi unites our species witli the European A. vulgaris. An
important food-fish in Pennsylvania.

Eels require no protection, as they pass round obstructions by land, and
breed in the ocean. Their num])ers have not diminished in our waters to
the same extent as other species, and their capture and barreling has long
been an important industry on the Susquehanna. When our State is more'
densely populated, they will be more constantly sought, and will retpjire
protection, as other fishes.

Until recently the l)ree<ling habits of the eel were a mystery. A few years
ago M. M. Ercolani and Halsamo Crivelli endeavored to solve the ijuestion
but were cmly i)artially successful. In 1873 Dr. Syrski ad<led a contribu-
tion to the subject. Later !*rof. A. S. Packard " detected the mother cells,
and Mr. Kingsley observed moving, active spermatozoa," The knowledge
of the breeding grounds of the eel is contained in the following expression,
taken from page 447 of I'ackard's ZoUlogy : *' It is probable that the eel
descends rivers in October and Xovembor. spawning in autumn and early
winter at the mouth of rivers, and in harbors and estuaries in shallow
waters." M. W. II. Ballou gives the following account of the food habits
of the eel : '• They are among the most voracious of carnivorous fishes.
They eat most inland fishes except the gar-fish and the chub. Investiga-
tion of GOO stomachs by Oswego fishermen sjiowrd that the latter bony fish
never had a place on their bill of fare. They are particularly fond of game
fishes, and show the delicate taste of a connoisseur in their selections fr(>m
choice trout, bass, pickerel and shad. Th<'V fear not to attack any oliject
when disposed, and their bite in human Mesh shows even a vicious attitude
toward man. On their hunting excursions they overturn huge and small
stones alike, working for hours, if necessary, beneath which they find species
of shrimp and cray-fish, of which they are excee<lingly fond. Of shrimps
thev devour vast numbers. Their noses are poked into everv imairinablc
hole, in their search for food, to ihe terror of innumerable small fishes,"

Leo. Doc.l

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

113

" Eels are to the water what the fish-hawk is to the air. They are perhaps
the most powerful and rapid of natatorians. Again, the.v hide in the mnd
beneath some loj": or overhano^injr rock and dart out with tremendous fury
at the unsuspeetinsr prey. They attack the spawn of other fishes open-
mouthed, and are even said to suck the vg^a from an impaled female. They
fearlessly and rapidly dive head foremost in tho mud, disappearing from
view in the twinkling of a star. They are owl-like in their habits, commit-
ting many of their depredations at night."

'' No fish is yet reported to utilize a grown eel as food. Pickerel, garfish
and bass, which are i)articularly numerous in these lakes, are supposed to
literally devour the young fry. Mr. Sawyer describes the operation ol the
pickerel darting through a long column of young eels, open-mouthed, and
devouring vast numbers of them.''

COLOCEPALI.

I'arietals largely in contact; opercular bones rudimental ; tl.e preoper-
culum generally wanting. Pterygoids rudimental or wanting; ethmoid
very wide. Syraplectic. maxillary, basal branchihyals, superior and inferior
pharyngeal bones, all wanting except the fourth superior pharyngeal. This
is jaw-like, and supported by a strong sui)erior branchihyal : other superior
branchiliyals wanting or cartilaginous. This peculiar order embraces sev-
eral families and many species of eels, which are mostly marine in their
habitat.

PHYS0CLY3TI.

The following is an analytic synopsis of the orders of this sub-tribe.
They all have the parietals entirely separat-d by the supraoccipital, and
lack the praecoracoid ; the symplectic is present, except in Ostracium,
where it is not ossified.

A. Scapular arch not suspended from the cranium.

Superior bronchihyals and pliaryngeals developed ; inferiors and m ixil-

lary distinct 15. QpisOwmi.

A. A scapidar arch suspended from the cranium.

I. >'entral fins abdominal.
Branchial arclies well «leveloped. the bones present, except fourth supe-
rior pharyngeal ; third much enlarged; inferior |)haryngeals distinct,

ir». PercesoceH — Mullet, etc.
Third and fourth superior pharyngeals much eularued. inferior pliarvn-

geals cobssified 17. Synenf>hfnulhi—iioit{inr.

Suj)erior branchials and pharyngeals reduced in number; inferiors sepa-
rate; interclavicles present 19. H-imibranchi— \*\\)o WsUafi.

Superior branchihyals ann i)haryngeals. ;-nd basal bninchihyals wanting:

gills tufted, 19. Lophobranchi—Si-n horse.

8 Fish Rep.

114 State Commissionebs of Fisheries. [No. 20,

II. Ventral fins thoracic or jugular.

First vertohra united to cranium by suture ; parietals united behind su-
pcroccii)ital ; buJ^l pectoral radial bones elongate,

20. Pediculati — Goose fish, etc.

Posterior cephalic region normal, anterior twisted so as to bring both
orbits on one side; inferior pharyngeals distinct,

21 . Heterosomata — Flounders.

Cranium normal; the premaxillaries usually coossified with the maxil-
laries behind, and the dentary with the articular: pharyngeal bones dis-
tinct, ... 22. Plectognalhi—VWc fishes.

Cranium normal ; bones of the jaws distinct ; inferior pharyngeal bones
tlistinct . . . . .23. Percomorphi—Vcrch.

Cranium normal ; bones of the jaws distinct, third superior pharyngeal
much enlarged, articulating with cranium; inferior pharyngeals coiissi-

fipfl, 24. Pharyngofjnathi — Burgall, Parrot tisli

These orders will be more fully defined, and the families which are refer-
able to them pointed out.

The alliinities among the PhysoclyRti are clear. Omitting the order
Opisthomi, we find the tour orders with ventral fins to form a true series,
with a synentognath variation, terminating in the greatly degraded order
of Lophobranchii. Tlie Percenocrs give us our nearest connection with
the group!- with abdominal ventral fins, and lead at once to the Percomor-
phi. From this center radiate many lines of affinity. One leads from the
Chaetoilontidae, through the Acroneuridae and to the Plectognathi. by
the similarity in t!ie arrangement of the posttemporal and forms of the
pharyngeal apparatus. An important division of the Percomorphi has the
basis crani simple, and tlie branchials reduced above, viz : the Scyphobran-
chi. The Cottidae are the most generalized family of this group, and lead
on the one han<l to the Triglidae of the Distegi, with which tliey are gen-
erally arranged, and, on the other, to the Hlenniidae. Some of the latter
elongate the basal pectoral bones considerably, and lead to the IJatrachidae
on tb.e one side, where the number of these bones is increased, and on th«>
other to the IVdiculati, where the numl>er is diminished. To these groups
the Anacantliini and Heterosomata are less allied.

The third ui>i>er pharyngeal bone has already presented an increase of
mass and use in the first orders of I'hysoclysti with the ventral fins. Among
the Percomorphi the same increase makes its ai)pyarance by little bcnn-
uings in some Sciaenidae, and 4eaches to a great development in other
memliers of that family. It is quite noteworthy in m(>st of the Carangidae.
a grouj) whose 8ei)aration from the Scombridae by (Jiintlier is supported
by this i)art of tlieir organism. Through forms not now spej-ifie*!. approach
to the Pharyngognathi is made. Here the pharyngeals are modified into a
luill-like structure, which is least specialized in the Kmbiotocidacand most
ao in the Scaridae. In the latter family it is a most effective apparatus for
grinding the shells of the Mollusca on which thev feed.

Leo. Doc] State Commissioners op Fisheries. 115

PERCESOCES

Ventrals anteriorly abdominal. Mouth formed by premaxillaries ; post-
temporal furcate, anteriorly, not suturally attached. Three basal branchi-
hyals ; all those of the superior series generally present. Superior pharyn-
geals with the third very largely developed, but not articulated to the
cranium. Inferior pharyngeals distinct; basal pectoral rays four, short.
Basis cranii without muscular tube, but with rudimental upper floor.

This order is found in the fresh waters of all the continents, but princi-
pally within the tropics. There are also many marine species. The fam-
ilies are the follov/inir :

1. Dorsal fin of branched radii.: no second floor of brain case; a trans-
verse wing on inside of hyomandibular ; second superior pharyngeal rod.
like; first present, third simple Opheocephalids'.

2. Dorsal fin of spinous and soft portion ; no hyomandibular wing ; se-
cond superior pharyngeal subconic; third very large, of two horizontal
laminjv, the superior supported by the inferior l)y a vertical rod. Superior
branchihyals ; second a triangular plate with superior exterior process ;
thiid and fourth triradial Mugilidte.

3. Dorsal fin of spinous and soft portions, ventrals more abdominal ;
third superior pharyngeal long and wide, simple ; second rod-like. Basis
cranii with upper floor better developed Atherinidse.

ATHERINIDJE.
Two genera are i« presented in Pennsylvania.

Maxillary arcade iiiirow, Atherina.

Maxillary ar<;i'U , duced into a l»eak LiUbideslhes.

L ABIDESTHE8- ( 'ope.
L ABIDESTHES SICCILUS — Cope.

Silvei - i <k.— River silverside. — Depth 6 in length; head 4i; eye
3^f in he:n; i.il long, nearly one third of length of liody : scales small;
p.ile olive, traiisluctnt, dotted with black, the silver lateral band very dis-
tinct; D. IV— 11 ; A. 1.23: lat. 1.75; length 8 to 4 inches. Western
streams and ponds, .Mich, to Ills, and Tenn.; abundand where found ; not
in Atlantic streams. A very slender and elegant species of delicate argu-
nism. The peculiar "duck-like muzzle" resembles that of some Cypriuo-
donts, especially the Central American Belonesox.

ATHEBINA-/..

Atherix A beryllin A — Cope,

Form of body shorter than usual ; posterior margin of first dorsal fiir in
advance of second dorsal, and just in front of opposite first anal ray; last
anal a little behind last ray of second dorsal ; tips of ventrals opposite of
first ray of first dorsal. Head 4.25 times to base of caudal. Orbit large,
one third head ; mouth small, mandible slightly longer, curve forming a
quadrant. Greatest depth (in front of anal) six times in length to basis of

f, -I

116

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

[No. 20,

caudal. Scales large, ten longitudinal, thirty-six transverse rows ; lateral
line represented by a pore on the anterior part of the posterior field of each
scale, except on the caudal peduncle wliere there is a groove. The anterior
separated portion of the line is on two adjacent series of 2-4 scales each.
Radical formula I). V., last well developed; I. 11, C. 17, deeply furcate;
A. I. 18; V. I. 5, four interior twice furcate; P. 15 acuminate.

Total lengtli 2.5 inches ; end muzzle to base of first dorsal 1.06 inches.
Color, bright pale olive, a silver band from axilla to caudal on two half
rows of scales, leaden margined above ; basis of anal leaden. Sides of head
silvery. Originally found in the Potomac, and probably occurring in the"
tributaries of the Susquehanna.

SYNENTOGNATHI.

Mouth bounded by the premaxillary only ; parietal bone very much re-
duced ; posttemporal slender, furcate ; epiclavicle not distinct. Pectoral
fin with elevated basis ; no intorclavicle. Superior pharyngeals ; second
and third large, oval, not articulated to cranium, sending processes forward ;
fourth wanting. Inferior pharyngeals co-ossified. Basis cranii double in
front, but without muscular tube.

The two tamilies of tiiis order, possess a heterocercal tail and no spinous
dorsal tin. In its rather woak sui)erior branchihyals it shows resemblance
to the Hemibranchi. The families are characterized as follows:

Vertebrae with zygapophyses ; the coronoul bone discinct, . Belonidae.

Nor zygapophyses, nor distinct corunoid bone of the mandible,

Scomhresocidae.

The first named of these families is the only one that enters frosli waters.

BELONIDAE-.So/^ gar.
BELONE— Omi'.

There are < • ral species of this genus found off our Atlantic coast. Hut
few of these « : t i' fresh water, and only one the streams of Pennsylvania.

Belose truncata — Lett. — Soft Gar.

Fin ray-^ — 1>. 15, P. 12, V. 6, A. 19, C. 19.

The caiidal lin is slighty emarginated. The anal is of the same form as
the <lorsal ; it commences just in front of that iin, and is coterminal with
it ; its anterior rays are longer than the corresponding ones of the dorsal
fin. The vt-ntrals are situated upon the posterior half of the body. The
dorsal fin is situated on the posterior fourth of the body. The body is
elongated ; the scales small and arlticular. The lateral line arises at the
inferior angle of the operculun.. and, passing gradually up to the inferior
base of the pectorals, assumes thence a straight line, which is continued to
the base of the caudal rays. Its greatest depth is equal to about one fif-
teenth its entire length ; the length of the head, from the angle of the jaws
to the posterior portion of the oi)erculum, is equal to one tenth the length

Leg. Doc]

State Commissioners oe Fisheries.

117

of the body. The jaws are armed with distant, very sharp, conical teeth,
between which are numerous others very minute; the lower mandible pro-
jects beyond the upper and is Meshy at its tip. The head is flattened above
and compressed laterally ; the eyes are longitudinally oval ; the distance
between the eyes is equal to their longer diameter.

Light green above ; beneath silvery, including opercles and lower man-
dible. Just above the base of the pectorals a band of a darker color
arises, and passes in a straight line to the origin of the dorsal tin. Miuute
fulicinious spots upon the upper portion of opercles.

Common in tae Delaware and Susquehanna in lower courses.

HEMIBRANCHII.

Mouth bounded above by premaxillary only; posttemporal not furcate.
Pectoral fins elevated; interclavicles developed. Superior phary igeals
small, weak; second, third, and generally fourth jjresent ; branchihyals rud-
imental ; the fourth and sometimes others wantinij. Inferior i>harvn<reals
distinct. Branchial j)rocesses, narrow laminse.

Basis cranii simple; no tube.

Found in all seas; a few species of Gasferosteidfv entering fresh water.
This order connects theonlinary Phymclysti with the Lophobranchi. The
families are as follows :

1. No first dorsal fin ; dorsal vertebra' moderately elongate, united by
suturus ; no suboi>erculum ; second and third superior branchihyals, and
third 8ui)erior pharyngeal only present Pegasidv.

2. Anterior vertebra' but little enlarged: dorsal spines strong: first,
second, and third superior branchihyals, and second and third superior
pharyngeals present, GaMeroi^teidee.

3. Four anterior <lorsal vertebrje much elongate; (centrum and spine
united by suture in Fistularia), dorsal spines very weak or none.

Fistulariidff.

4. Four anterior vertebra* much elongate, with strong diapophyses, and
normal articulations. Fourth sujurior ])ranehihyal and first and fourth
superior pharyngeal only wanting. .... . Centriscidn.

5. Six anterior vertebra' extremely elongate, with normal articulations
of centra. Fourth supra-branciiihyal and all the superior pharvnireals
wanting AmphUilidn'.

0ASTER0STEIDJE-«ic/.7f!ftorA«.

Only two species of the Sticklebacks occur in Pennsylvania. an<l thev
are referrible to as many genera.

Si<les naked ; no cau<lal keel ; ventral cuirass reduced, not serrated.

Ventral plates two. iMteral; Apeltes.

Ventral i)late single, median ; Eucalia.

118

State Commissioners of Fishebies.

[No. 20,

APELTES-Z>cA:ay.
Apeltes Qi adracus — Mitch.

I). 3 or 4. 1^12 ; P. II ; V. 1 ; A. 10 ; C. n. Body slii^htly convex in
front of th.' Ci:- t dorsal spine. Lencrth of the head Cv^ual to nearly one fifth
the lennfth ol' the body. Three or four movable s})ines are situated in front
of the dorsal fm, and connected with it ])v a membrane at its base is a fifth
spine, which is ecpial to a]>out two thirds the heiirht of tlie rays of this lin.
Commehcins: at the base of the first spine, and terminating at the spine of
the dorsal tin, is situated a pjroove into which the larger spines are received
when recumbent. The first and second spines are each equal in length to
one third of the head. When erect, one or more of these spines frequently
project outward from the straight line, the otliers are shorter; the fourth,
when there are five, is the shortest.

When alive, greenish-brown above the lateral line ; beneath this line,
which is very perceptible, the color is darker, and is l)roken irregularly by
the extension of the whiteness of the abdomen. In young specimens the
color is distributed in four or five transverse bands, which are indistinct in
the matur.' fish. The membranous portion attached to tlie posterior infe-
rior part of the vertebral spine is of a bright scarlet color, which causes
this iiart to api>ear as if covered with blood, when the fish is suddenly dart-
ing through the water, with the spine projt'cting.

A small species, abundant in the tide-wator streams and ditches of the
Delaware. An interesting species for the aviuarium.

EUCALIA — Tordan.
EUL'ALIA INIOXSTAN.S — Kirt.

Brook stickleback. — Ohio Stickleback. — Head about 3.', in length ; depth
nearly 4 ; spines rather low ; ventral spin? al)out equal to eye ; color oliva-
ccDUs, marl)led with darker ; males in spring jet black, finely punctate; I).
lU to V-^1, 10; A. 1. 10: length 2). inches. Ohio to Minnesota and
Kansas, chietly northward : abundant in sluggish streams ; an interesting
s[)ecies. remarkable, according to .Jordan, for its pugnacity and for its nest-
buildinij; habits.

LOPHOBRANCHII.

Moutli l)ounded by tlie preinaxillarv above ; pi=?ttemporal simple, coos
sified witli the cranium. Basis cranii simple. Tectoral fins with elevated
basis; well-developed interclavicles. Ant;'rior vertebrae mcMlified ; the di-
apophyses much expanded. Interior and superior branchihyals wanting or
unossilied. Branchial i)roresses in tufts.

The sea horses and pipe lislu'S al)Dund in tropical seas, and a few species
are common on our Atlantic coast. None enter the fresh waters of Penn-
sylvania.

PEDICULATI.

B;isal radii of pectoral fin elongate, reduced in numl)er; no interclavi-
cles. I'piotics united above behind supraoccipital. and the first vertebr.ae

Leg. Doo.]

State Commissioners op Fisheries.

119

with the cranium by suture ; pasttemporal broad, flat, simple. Superior
pharyngeals two similar, spatulate with anterior stem and transverse blade.
Casis cramii simple.

This order includes bottom fishes of the ocean ; some of them living at
great depths, others float in the masses of sea-weed. The goose-fish is the
best known species of our coasts. None enter fresh water.

HETEROSOMATA.

Crainnm posteriorly normal; basis nearly simple; dorsal fin without,
spinous radii. Cranium anteriorly with twisted vertex, to allow of two
orbits on one side, or one sub-vertical and one lateral. Superior pharyn-
geals four, the third longest much extended forwards, inferiors separate.

Embraces the family of Pleiironectidae. or flounders, which embraces
many marine and a few fresh water species. None in Pennsylvania.

PLECTOGNATHI.

Crainum posteriorly normal, the posttemporal undivided coossified with
the epiotic. The elements of the mandible, and usually the premaxillary
and maxillary coossified. Interoperculum a slender rod. Superior phar-
yngeals laminar, usually vertical and transverse. A subopercidum.

This order is a very degenerate type of Physoclyxti. It includes five or
six families of fishes of singidar form, which chiefly abound in troi)ical
oceans. A very few enter fresh waters, and none those of Pennsylvania.

PERCOMORPHI

Bones of the mandible distinct ;nnxillary distinct. Cranium symmet-
rical ; epiotics normal : no interclavieles ; posttemporal not coossifie<l with
cranium. Basal pectoral radii not enlarged ; humeri suspended (generallv)
from the scapular arch. Basil>ranchihyals three : inferior pharyngeals dis-
tinct, superior pharyngeals with the third generally largest. Sub and inter
operculum present, plate-like.

This extensive order embraces a great variety of forms, some of which
may yet be regarded as forming distinct orders. At present I am not suf-
ficiently sure of their exact definition to admit them jis such. The specits
exist in all waters in all parts of the globe, bat the marine S2)ecies greatly
outniimbcr those of fresh water.

I. ANACANTHINI.
Basis cranii simple, no tube ; posttemp(»ral !)ifurcate; scapular foramen
bv'twct'n scapula and coracoid. Superior pharyngeals three, horizontal,
t; "I little lonijfer. Dorsal fin-rays flexibk'. jointed. Includes the families
^In.lidae an<l Mamiridae. both with the protoeercal caudal vertebrae.

The L'lia lacHslris (Ling) is the only species which inhabits Pennsylva-
nian waters.

Fig. 32.

II. HAFLODOCI.
Basis cranii simple, flat: |):»sttemp )ral simple, undivided. Scapuhir
foramen in center of scapula. Ba^al segments of pectoral lin W\c, elou-

120 State Commissioners op FisiiEiaiEs. [No. 20,

gate ; superior ph{irvno;eals contracted ; first and fourth wanting ; third
basin-shaped with second adherent. Dorsal tin with some spinous rays.
One family, the Batrachidae^ which is found chiefly in salt water, and does
not enter the Pennsylvania fauna.

III. SCTPHOBBANCHII.

Basis cranii simi)lc, no tube ; pasttemi)oral furcate ; superior pharyngeals
shortened ; fourth and first generally wanting ; third large, basin-shaped :
second generally scale-like or co-ossified with third. Scapula with median
foramen. Doral radii usually soft.

The families are distinguished as follows :

I. An osseous rod connecting infraorbital ring with preopercular spine.
Ventrals thoracic, Cottidse.

II. No osseous cheek-rod.

* Ventrals of very few rays, or wanting.
Ventrals jugular ; sjnntius dorsal as long as soft dorsal; . . Blenniidse.

** Ventrals with 5 or Utore rays.

Ventrals modifiod into a suctorial organ, Gohiesocidae.

Ventrals not suctorial ; first dorsal fin short.

First dorsal soft Gobudff.

First dorsal spinous, Uranoscopidse.

IV. EPELASmA.
Basis cranii doul)le, with basil muscular tube; posttemporal undivided.
Sec(md. third, and fourth superior pharyngeals transverse vertical laminie.
Scapula with median foramen ; basal pectoral bones four, short. Dasal
spines strong. Families Acronuridfr (with Amphacanthus, Acanthurus,
/fc,) and Chaetodonfift- with Chaefodon^ Chelmo, Zanclus, Platir. Ifenio-
c^M.s-, Taurirhthys, Efjhijrpus, and Toxotes.) Marine fishes, mostly from
tropical seas.

V. RHEONOPTEBI.
Basis cranii double witii tube; jiosttemporal bifurcate; scapula with me-
dian foramen ; superior pharyngeals bones four ; third largest, narrow <li-
rected forwards; basal pectoral bones divide«l ; two normal, supporting fin ;
one longitudinal witlumt rays, and one a ])late on concoid, supporting elon-
gate rays. Dorsal :-pines. One family, the Trich idionf id se, which does not
enter the fresh waters of Pennsylvania.

VI. DISTEOL

Basis cranii doubh", with muscular tube. Posttemporal ]>ifurcate; sca-
puh» with median foramen; basal pectorals three or four short (piadrate*
Superior pharyngeals bones form; thinl always the largest ; longitudinal
more or less elongate, not articulated to cranium. Inferior pharyngeals
separated. Dorsal tin with strong spines.

This extensive sub-order iiuludes the greater number of the species of
the spinous rayed Physoclystous fishes. There are a number of families,

JO

CO

LirJ3

i?i

tc

Leg. Doc] State Commissioners op Fisheries.

121

but only four of them enter the scope of the present work. They are dis-
tinjfuished as follows :

I. Ventrals t-rayed; anus jugular, vomerine teeth, . . . Aphododiridse.

I I. Ventrals 5-rayed ;

Anus posterior, no vomerine teeth; head not cavernous, . . Elassomidae.

Vomerine teeth ; skull not cavernous, Perridae.

No vomerine tecih : sKulI cavernous with superficial chambers. Sciaenidae.

OAHIDAE— The Cods.

WTA—f'uvier.

LoTA LAcusTRis— TFaZft. Fig. 33.

Ling, r.tirhot.— Lake Lawyer.— Eel-Pout.— Lake Cusk. Dark olive,
thickly marbled with blackish ; yellowish or dusky beneath ; head broad,
depressed; }><)dy sublindricai in front, compressed behind; upper jaw
(usually) longest; D. 13—70; A. 68; V. 7; length H to 2i feet. Great
lakes and streams of New England, north to the Arctic circle, abundant ;
rather rare in the Miss, valley. A curious fish, rarely used for food, although
the livers are said to l>e delicious. [L. maculosa (Les.) Cuv. L. compressa,
(Les.) and L. brosmiana, Storer. L. inornata. DeK., etc.] The common
European species ( L. vulgaris, Cuv..) seems to ha the same, but the Amer-
ican name, lacustris, is the older. In Tennsylvania in Lake Erie. One
specimen was taken in the Sustpiehanna near Muncv. Lvcomiui' countv.

C0TIIB]E—Sei(lpi7is.
Two gtnera are represent^'d in the waters of the State, as follows:

No teeth on the pal.Mt.- : Nvntral radii L 3 Uranidea.

Teeth on the paint.: vntnd radii L 4 Fotamocottus.

VRAmHEA— Delay .
Uraxiuka oracilis — Herbel.
Millers thiiinb. Little Star-gazer.— SKmder, fusiform species ; depth fi
to ^ in length. rii)s ot pt'ctiuals reaching fourth ray of secoml D., and
first of anal; head 4 in total length; eye 4 in hea«l ; grayish. UK.ttled. D.
\ III— 16; A. 11 or 12. New England and New York; the conumm east-
ern species found "(njiescent" under stones, after the manner of the darters.
(U. quiescens- DcKay. [C. bolcoidcs ((ird..) from Vermont, is said to be
slenderer, and with larger fins. V. formosa, ((Jrd.) from stomachs of Lola,
in .leep waters, L. Ontario, is more elongate, with shorter fins In Pennsyl-
vania from tiu' lic.il watcis of the Suscpiehanna or Allegheny rivers.

I i:.\xn>E.\ y]iiro»\—Hafdenian.
Slip|)ery MilKiV t lnMub.- IVctorals scarcely reaching second dorsals;
head 4^ in total leugth ; eye 5 in head ; lu»dy subcylindrical, covered with'
a viscid skin ; dusky, mottled ; D. VIII_17 ; A. 12; first d.)rsal fin with a
Vermillion border. Strean.s of Tcnua, Md., Va.. etc.. freciuent, often found
in caves. (C. eopei, Abbott.)

122

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

[No. 20,

POTAMOCOTTUS— Gdl.
PoTAMOCOTTi's MERiDiONALis — Oirard.

Cave bull-head. — Goblin. — Blob Muttle-jaws. — Head 3.^ in length;

depth 5 ; width of head .3V; reaching beyond beginning of soft dorsal, to
oval ; preopercle with a stout erect spine and two smaller ones below ;
mouth wide ; palatine teeth unusually strong ; lateral line very distineti
chainlike, sometimes vanishing behind, and sometimes not. Grayish, mot-
tled, three cross blotches on back; 1). VI to VIII — 16 ; A. 12 or 13 ; V. 1,
4. N. C. to Ala., Tenn., and Ind., aboundin? in many of the streams issu-
ing from the cavi >- in the limestone region ; the largest species of the genus,
reaching a len-itli of 6 inches. (C. meridionalis Grd., P. carolinae, Gill,
P. zopherus^ I m.) Trobably in western Pennsylvania.

PoTAMOcoTTUS wiLSONi — Oirard.

Wilson's l» illhead. — Rather larger than the last; spinous dorsal higher;
and the upinr rayn,©f the pectoral tins branched. Pennsylvania to Indiana.

APHODODIBIDiE.

One genus of this family exists, and several extinct ones have been found
in the eocene beds of the Rocky Mountains.

APH0D0DIEU8 — /vCMMr.

The dorsal fin is single and elevated, and has but few spines. There is
no ventral spine. The bones of the face are serrate, and the scales are ct-
enoid. Two spci-K- of this genus are known. The position of the vent
in young fishes ': '■ hmi shown by .Ionian to be jiosterior to that which it
has in adults. 1 •. i f western species it is mjre posterior.

AiMionuDiurs sayanls — Gill,

Pirate P( i • Head S\ in length; depth 3^ ; greenish olive; a subor-
bital V»ar, ami 'hnU bars at base of candal rounded ; lower jaw longest ; 1),
IV, II: 7; lat. 1.4S; length 5 inches. X. Y. to La., in sluggish fresh
water near the coast. One of the most interesting of North American
fishes. It docs well in aquaria.

PERCIDJE- TV rcA.

.After the Cyprinidee, this family embraces the greatest number of species
of the fresh waters of North America.

Many of the most important fishes belong to the Percidee. The finest
fishes among these are the pike-perch (Sfizosledium.)

Tlie Ijlackish water lovers, the yellow perch, and white and striped bass,
are well kno.vn. They have suttered great <liminution of numbers from im-
proper spring fishing, and fishing through the ice at tlie mouths of streams
in winter. Both these practices should be put a stop to, in accordance
with law.

The black bass (Microptet uh faHciafuis) is only native of our State in the
tributaries of the Ohio. The public remembers its recent introduction into

Leo. Doc]

State Commissioners op Fisheries.

123

the Delaware, and attendant discussions. The James river is the most
northern of the eastern rivers which contain species of the same group,
(the green bass,) but the introduction of both species and the present one
into the Delaware have been fully successful. It is a valuable acquisition,
and though carnivorous, will not interfere me-terially with the spawn and
fry of ale-wives (herring of our fishermen) and shad, if the latter are pro-
tected against improper fishing. It attains the weight of from eight to
twelve pounds, and is a good table-fish.

The " white perch," or " moon perch,*' of the Allegheny (Pomoxys hexa-
canthus,) is only less valuable than the black and green bass. An occa-
sional straggler is taken in the Delaware, and it occurs in the Susquehanna.
It is an excellent ta])le-lish, and ought to be protected and cultivated. Its
weight is from one to five pounds ; in form it is flat and round, like the
sunflsh.

The smaller sunfishes also have considerable market value. The com-
mon species appears, as is known, in large numbers in winter on our stalls.
The " red eye " is equally important in Pitts])urgh markets, {Ambloplifes
rupestris^) and would, if protected, increase to an almost incredible extent.
In the same way, the mud sunfish (A. pomotiK, Baird.) which grows to the
size of the white bass in the sluggish tidewater streams of the Delaware,
will become at some future day a source of food to a considerable popula-
tion. In fact, all these fishes could be easily rendered so abundant in a few
years as to sell for a cent a piece, instead of five and ten cents per pound.

There are three divisions of the Percidee found in North American
waters. They are defined as follows :

Branchiostegal rays 6 ; swim bladder rudimental, Etheostomatinie.

Branchiostegal rays t ; swim bladder well develoi)ed, . Percinx.

Branchiostegal rays 6 ; swim bladder well developed, . . Centrarchinse.

E Til EOS TO M A TIN. E.

The species of this division are all of small size, some of then of very
small size. They are very numerous in the streams of the Mississippi val-
ley, but none exist west of the Rocky mountains. They are generally of
much beauty, especially in their coloration, in which males exceed the fe-
males. Their habit is to lie on the bottom of the stream, and their move-
ments are sudden and <piick, and are provided by powerfid movements of
tlie caudal part of the body. They can only rise to the surface in this w.ay,
owing to the imperfect character of their natatorv bladder. There are
about sixtv species known, which, though the present c(msideral>le raiiffe of
characters, recpiire close examination for their discrimination. For human
consumption these fishes are worthless. Their food consists chiefiv of
minute Crustacea and of larva- of small insects (Forlx's,) The genera are
distinguished as follows :

A, Lateral line complete; body translucent.

Dorsal fins distinct : one anal spine; vomerine tetth ; lip subprotractile.

Pleurolepis.

124 State Commissioners op Fisheries. [No. 20,

B. Lateral line complete ; body not translucent.

f Second dorsal not larger than spinous dorsal and little or not larger
than anal.

a Upper jaw not protractile ; vomerine teeth.

{i Mouth inferior overlapped b}' the snout, ventral plates present, (when
not shed,) . . Percina.

/5j5 Mouth terminal, wider.

Ventral plates normally present, Alvordius.

Ventral plates tfl)sent, Hadropferus.

f I Second dorsal fin considerably larger than anal ; no ventral plates.

a Upper jaw protractile.

No teeth on the vomer, Diplesium.

A'omerine teeth, ■ Boleosoma.

«« Upper jaw not protractile.

Anal 8})ines two, Nolhonotus,

0. Lateral line present, incomplete.

Spinous rays acute, Po'cilichthys.

Spinous rays knobbed at apices in males, Etheoatomo.

I). Lateral line absent.
Jaws equal, Microperca.

PLETJB0LEPI8— /l(/a<«.

Throe species of tli-, genus are known; P. asprellus, Jordan, from Illi-
nois; P, vitreux^ ' j - , from North Carolinft, and the following:

Ple'jrolepis pellucidus — Bd.

Sand Dartfi. - I)epth 6 to 8 in length; body nearly cylindrical ; head
elongated, i«>ijiii«l; scales small, finely dotted, far apart, and deeply im-
Ijedded ; fins small ; color pinkish white, pellucid in life, with a series of
small, scpiarish, olive (blue) blotches along back, and another along sides,
the sjmts connected by a irilt line ; I). X — 9 ; A. 11,6 ; length 2 to 3 inches.
Ohio Valley, in sandy str»:Mns; one of the most interesting of our fishes.
Western I'ennsylvanin <nly.

PERCINA- //a/rf.
TeRCINA CAl'RODES — Uaf.

Log Perch. Hog 1- ish. Rock Fish. — Salmon yellow or greenish, with
about fifteen transvi'ise dark bands from l>ack to In'lly. these usually alter-
nating with shorter and fainter ones reaching about to lateral line; a black
spot at base of caudal ; l»elly with a row of enlarged j)lates, shed at sea-
sons; neck above scaly ; I). XIII — 12; A. II, 10. (ireat lakes and westeni
streams, abundant east to Lake Champlain ; the largest of the Darters
reaching a length of six or eight inches, (P. zebra, semifasciata, nebulosa
and bimaculata of authors.)

Lake Erie and Alleghenv river.

Leo. Doc]

State Commissioners op Fisheries.

ALVORDinS - Oir ird.
Alvordiijs macllatls — Ord.

12.T

Black-sided I )arter, Blenny Darter. Head long and pointed, 4 in length ;
depth 5 to 5^. ; belly with a series of caducous plates along the middle
line (shed at some seasons.) Straw yellow with dark tesselations and
about seven large blotches along the sides, partly confluent, thus forming a
moniliform band; D. XIII, to XV— 12; A. 11, 9. Ohio Valley, great
lakes and eastward ; out- of the most curious and elegant of all the darters.
(A. a»pro. Cope and /or.:' Alvordius and Hadropterus maculatus^ Grd.
{Etheostoma blennioides, Ag.) In Pennsylvania in western streams only.

A LVORIDIUS PELTATLS — Stauffev.

Shielded Dartir. Head shorter; sides with broad, brownish shades;
ventral shields mncl. larger; I). XII— 1.3 ; A. I, 9 ; lat. 1.53, Penn.

A large and handsome species found by Jacob Stauffer in the Conestoga
creek, in Lancas ( r eounty ; rare.

A LVORDius macrocepiialus — Cope.
Long-head(<| Hnter. — Head much elongated; 3i in length, the snout
much longer thill the eye ; cheeks and opercles naked; coloration nearlv
tliatof A.mae.ilat'is; scales quite small ; D. XV, 13; A. II, 11; lat. 1,77.
Headwaters of Ohio river in Pennsylvania.

HABROPTEBUS - .4^a A«.
llAPRoprERus TESSELLATU8, Jordan.
Cead bn.:„l .,;. i lu-avy ; mouth large; cheeks and opercles naked, or
nearly s<»: 1>. \._A. 11. 8. Allegheny river.

DIPLE8HJM-/^a/.
Hyoatoma. Auas-i/.

PlPLESILM BLENNIOIDES — Raf.

Green-sided I> nt.r.— Olive green and tessellated above; sides with a
series of about - .v. n double transverse bars, each pair forming a V-shayed
figure ; these are joined above, miking a sort of wavy lateral ban<l ; in life,
these markings are of a clear deep green ; sides ssrinkled with oranije «Iots ;'
head with olive stripes and the usual dark bars: first dorsal dark orange
brown at base, blue above, becoming pale at tip ; seond dorsal and anal
of a rich blue green with some reddish ; caudal greenish ; youn^r sjiecimens
much duller, but the peculiar pattern is unmistakable ; bodv stout ; head
short and thick ; I>. XIII to XIII_13 ; A. 11.8; length 3 inches. IVnn.
to Kas. and S. abundant in Indiana ; one of the handsomest of fishes.

BOLEOSOMA— De Kay.

The species of this genus range further to the east than those of any of
this group.

♦ Anal spine single, weak.

126

State Commissioners of Fisheries

[No. 20,

BOLEOSOMA OLMSTEDI — StOVer.

Common I>arter. — Fins stouter and higher than in the next; depth
5^ in lenjrtli ; head 4^; olivaceous, fins barred ; back tessellated ; a black
streak forwnni ; and another downward from eye; cheeks and opercles
scaly; neck im1 throat bare; D. IX — 14; A. 1,8; lat. 1,50. New Eng-
land t<t Wi f )]isin ; abundant eastward. (B. teasellatum^ DeK.)

The ci»iniii'»n species of eastern Pennsylvania. The males are larger than
the fcuiriU and are marked with black in spring, especially on the head.

BoLEOSOMA MACULATUM — Aq. — Johnny Darter.

Paler .unl more distinctly tessellated; brownish yellow; upper surface
dotted witli brown, the spots forming a few dark bars on back; a dark
line from eye to snout ; and sometimes a bar below eye ; smaller and slen-
derer than the preceding ; with smaller fms ; eye as large as the narrow,
pointed snout; cheeks, n2ck, and throat naked; opercles scaly; D. IX —
12; A. 1, 10; lat. 1.45, E. U. S., abundant, west of the Allegenies. B. bre-
vipinne^ (Cope.)

** Ann! -pine wanting.

B n.KosoMA .«sopu8 — Cope.

Caudal peduncle contnicted ; dorsal outline curved ; fins high ; brownish,
with spots on back and sides ; I). VII — 14 ; A. 10 ; lat. 1.47. Susquehanna
river, Penn.

NOTHONOTUS-^fifass.

Nanotitoma — Putnam.

XOTHONOTUS ZONALIS — Cope.

Zoned Darter. — Olivaceous, golden below ; six dark brown quadrate
spots along the back ; connected by alternating spots with a brown lateral
band from which eight narrow bands encircle the belly ; lower fins yellow
with brown spots : spinous dorsal with a crimson band ; a series of crim-
son spots on base of soft dorsal ; Iflack spot on opercle, occiput, and base
of pectorals: black bars downward from eye and forward; D. PI — 12; A.
11,7; lat. ].:)2. In<liana to Tenn. Probably western Pennsylvania.

N < «T I loNOTUS MACULATUS — Kirtl.

Trout Darter. — liody moderately elongate, deep, and compressed, head
4 in length ; depth 4^ ; head long and rather pointed ; mouth pretty large ;
jaws equal ; dorsal fin elevated, the longest rays reaching candal; olive,
sides with rather large spots of brillsant carmine ; vertical fins more or less
barred with red and white; D. XII, 13; A. 11, 8 ; lat. 1.60. M.ahoning
river. Ohio, a rare and handsome species.

POECILICHTHTS- A gasa. •

This genus embraces the most brilliantly colored of our fresh water Per-
comorphi. They are the most abundant of the group in western waters.

Leo. Doc] State Commipstonebs op Fisheries. i2t

POECILICHTHYS VARIATUS— (TlTir^) Ag.

Blue darter.— Rainbow fish.—Blue Johnny.—Olivaceous, tessellated
above, the spots running together into blotches ; back without black length,
wise stripes; sides with about twelve indigo blue bars runnincr obliquely
downward, most distinct behind, separated by rich orange interspaces •
caudal deep orange, edged with bright blue ; anal 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
bluish, often deep indigo blue ; cheeks blue ; throat and breast oran^re,
these two shades very constant ; 9 much duller, with but little or no bhie'
or orange ; the vertical fins barred or checked ; colors fade in alcohol ; body
short and stout; head large; D. X_I2; A. 11, 7; lat. 1. 45; length 2 to
3 inches. Mississippi valley, abundant ; the most gaily colored of all the
darters.

ETHEO8TOMA— /?rjA

The chnracters which distinguish this genus from Pcecilichthys are only
to be foimd in the male fish.

Etheostoma FLABELLARE—i?a/.— Fan-tailed darter.
lUa.l .'i.tirely scaleless ; lateral line short ; lower jaw longest ; olivaceous
dusky above; sides with obscure dusky ])ars ; each scale with a brownish
spot, these sometimes forming series of longitudinal lines, but never very
distinct ones; head narrow; mouth oblique; body rather slender- fins
strongly barred; D. VIII_12; A. 11. 8; length 2^ inches. Ureat lako«
and streams from X. V. and W., abundant. E. linsleyi. H. R. Storer
A\ esteni Pennsylvania. The knobbed spinous dorsal rays dislinguish tlie
males of this sju'cies from every «.ther.

KlCROTERCAr- Putnam.
MiCROPERCA PLNCTULATA— PM/«am.

Least darter._(Jreenish olive; sides with irregular dark bars and zicr^a-
markings: dusky lines along the rows of scales ; a dark shoulder blotcli - a
black streak forward from eye and a vertical bar below it : D. VI to VII_
9 to 12 ; A. 11, 5 or 6 ; length 1| inches. Western States.

PKRriy^K.

The following are the genera of this sub-family :

I. Anal spines two ; dorsal spines more numerous.

Canine teeth mixed with the bristle-like ones Stizostethium

•No canine teeth, . „

II. Anal spines three : dorsal spines less numerous.

No canine teeth, ... , ,

■ * " Labrax

8TIZO8TETHIUII— Ra/.
The species of this genus are of rather elongate form, and resemble in
tlieir proportions those of the Etheostomine group.

128

State Commissioners of Fjsheries.

[No. 20,

The S. vitreum or jack, sometimes called jack-salmon, or even sal-
mon, for flavor and general character of flesh, and for large size, is only
exceeded in value by the shad, yet it is almost unknown to our markets,
except PS an imported article from the lakes. It exists in the Susquehanna,
and ought to be so protected as to be very abundant there. It is common
in the Allegheny and tributaries, and is associated with another flue species
of smaller size, the S. salmoneum^ Raf. Both of these flshes ought to be
cultivated. The jack reaches, occasionally, forty pounds, and like the
trout, seeks the highest r.nd coolest waters that will float him. It pos-
sesses great activity and strength, and is a ravenous destroyer of perch and
other species. Were it not so superior in every way to all others, this
habit might condemn it ; as it is, we regard it as. one of the best species
we possess. In the South, it is eagerly bought, and forms the principal
table-flsh for the various places of resort, springs, etc., where it can be oV)-
tained. It is supplied with means of defense in its powerful teeth, with
which it will inflict wounds. Yet this large species is almost unknown in
many parts of our State, and. as a source of food, is comparatively insignifi-
cant. As its mode of life combines those of the brook-trout and bass, there
is no reason Avliy some enterprising person should not make it an object of
culture on tli • Susquehanna or westward. Proper protection would also
have as niti< ^ ikct in increasing its numbers as in the case of any other
species we linve.

Stizostethium viTREi'M — MitchUl. Fig. 34.

Wall-.\> I Pike.— " Salmon."— '' I) jry."—aiass Eye.— Yellow Pike—
Body <! Mil r, becoming compressed with age, the back not especially
dei)re<>: "1 : dors^il spines high, more than half length of head ; eye 4^ to 5
in head, (ieneral color a heavy olive, finely nmttled with brassy; a large
black spot. on last rays of spinous darsal, the fin otherwise nearly or quite
unmirked ; D. XIII— 1, 21 ; A. 11, 12 ; lat. 1, 90. Size very large ; this
8i)3cies reaches a length of nearly three feet, and a weight of 20 to 30 lbs.
Grv-at lake region and some Atlantic streams, north to the fur countries ;
an abundant and valued food fish, (Lucioperca americana, Cuv.)

Var. salmoneum — Raf. Fig. 35.
Blue Pike. — " White Salmon." — Body shorter, thicker and deeper, with
slenderer caudal peduncle ; inf>uth smaller ; eye larger ; dorsal spines
lower. 2.', in head ; coloration bluer, with silvery instead of brassy mot-
tlings ; fin coloration darker : young pale, with traces of vertical bars ; I).
XIV— 1. 20 ; A. II. 13 ; lat. I. 05. This species or variety is very similar
to tlie precediiir, but it is distinguished at sight by the fisherman, and
seems to ra 1 1 I \ ;ittain a length of more than one foot. Lake Erie, Ohio
river, and S >'\''.\. Common in the Susipu'hanna river.

Stizostktiiilm canauense — Smith.
Fig. 36.
Saugei >.iikI Pike. — Gray Pike. — Body little compressed, broad across

Fig. 41. Pomotis aureus— WvUh.
Frtmi Klippart. .See p. 133.

Fig. 42. Ennrm-nntlnuf nbrfius — Haird.

See p. 133.

From i^'bott

Fig. 43. Pamaxtisnnnularis—WM'. From Klippart.

See p. 134.

Leo. Doc] State Commissioners of Fisheries. 129

the back and rather depressed; cheeks, top of head, etc., usually thickly
sealed ; colors rather paler and more translucent than in S. vitreum the
shades less blended ; olive gray, sides pale orange with much black mot-
tling, the black gathered into several definite dark transverse areas- spin-
ous dorsal with two or three rows of round black spots; a lar<re black
blotch at base of ,H.'ctorals ; dorsal XII_1, n ; A. 11, 12; lat.1,95- size
not large; length 12 to 15 inches. Ohio river and great lake re^n^n to
upper Missouri ; a strongly marked species. {L. grisea. De K., L. borea
Gird.) •

PERCA— Zinn.

Perca FLUviATiLis — Linn.

1. Var. AMERICANA — Sckrank.

Common Vcll.r.v IVrch.— Olivaceous ; sides yellowish, with broad dark
bars; head :\] in K 11.-th ; depth about the same; 1). XIII— 14; A 11 7-
lat. 1, 63. Kivsh waters E. U. S; chiefly northward and eastward ("p'
favescens (Mit.) Cuv.] Abundant in the Delaware and Susquehanna
rivers.

LABRAX— Cmv.
Morone and Pioccus— Mitch. ^Gill.
* Body little coinpressed ; depth less than » of length ; teeth on toncrue
m more than oiu- p;.tch ; chielly marine. {Roccm.)

Larrax li.neati s— 7?Z. Srhn.

Striped r>ass.^|{,H.k Fish.-Silvery or yellowish, with seven or ei.rht
long.tudiu.I l...n,i.; l). ix_l, 12; a. Ill, H ; hit. 62. Atlantic colst,
enteiing riwi.. As,v,..iii,:x the Delaware and Sus.iuehanna rivers.

** Body much enniMrssed ; depth less than one third of length; teeth
on tongue in more than one patch.

Labrax riiRvsops — Raf.
White Bass, St. i,K.d Lake IJass.-Silvery, with six or more dark stripes
sometimes "so inhirupted as to appear like ancient church music " \)
IX-1. 12; A. 11], 1:]; lat. 1.55. (Jreat Lakes, Tppi-r Mississippi VUk'v
and north. (I.ahrar mulfilineatus, nofatus, albidu.i and o^sculatii of
authors.) Rivers .,r west Pennsylvania.

*** No patch .,r t,.oth at base of tongue; scales on cvcloi<l ; dorsal tins
not connected. ^ Morone.)

Lahrax americam's — CJmel.
White Pen!,.- Whitish, usually faintly striped; depth 3 in length; D.
IX— 1, 12: A. HI, 9; lat. 1.50. Atlantic coast, abundant also In fresh
water ponds, etc., coastwise; variable. (L. mucronatus, ruf 11, nud pallidus
of authors.) Common in the Delaware and Susquehanna rivers
9 Fisii Rep.

130 State Commissioners of Fisheries. [No. 20,

CEN TRAR CHINA E.

A. Dorsal fin much more developed than anal.
* Body elongate ; spines little developed ; operculum ending in two
points.
Gill rakers long and stout ; a supplementary maxillary bone,

Micropterus.
** Body elevated and compressed ; spines robust.
a Tongue and pterygoid bones with teeth ; a supplemental maxillary bone ;
gill rakers long.

Operculum with two points, Ambloplites.

Operculum ending in a convex flap C haenobryttus.

aa Tongue and pterygoid bones toothless.
,5 Operculum ending in a convex flap.
y Maxillar3' with supplemental bone.

Gill rakers long stout ; palatine teeth, Apomotis.

YY Maxillary without supplemental bone.

S Lower pharyngeal bones Avith sharp conic teeth.

Gill rakers of anterior arch elongate, toothed, Lepidopomus.

Gill rakers all short thick and unossified ; no i)alatine teeth, . . Xenotis.
do Inferior pharyngeal teeth mostly rounded or truncate.

Gill rakers long and slender, Xijstroplites.

Gill rakers short and thick, Pomotia.

,V Operculum notched, or with two posterior apices.
y Dorsal fin with midiUe si)ines longest.
No supplemental maxillary bone.

Anal spines 3; dorsals 10; Meaogonistius.

YY Dorsal fin with regular outline ; a supplemental maxillary :

Anal spines 3 or 4 ; dorsals 9 ; Enneacanthua.

A A. Dorsal and anal fins about equal in extent.
Spinous dorsal longer than soft dorsal ; its rays not steeply graduated,

Centrarchus.

Spinous dorsal fin shorter than soft part, its rays steeply graded in
length ; Pomoxys.

mCROPTERUS -Aac.

Calliurusy Kaf., Orystea and JIuro, Cuvier.

This genus embraces only two well-marked species, which are found
everywhere in eastern North America south ami west of the Potomac river.
They approach the Labraeea in form, but are most like tiie extinct genus
Mioplosusi from the eocene of the Rocky Mountains, in the structure of
their fins and other parts.

Micropterus salmoides, Lac. — Small mouthed black bass.
Small-mouthed ; scales of trunk small (e. g. lat. line, 72-75 ; between
Interal line, and l)ack. 11 rows.) Scales on nape and breast nuu-h smaller
than those of sides. Scales of cheeks minute (e. y., between orbit and pre-

Leo. Doc] State Commissioners of Fisheries. 131

operculum, about 17 rows in an oblique line and about 9 in a horizontal
one.) Scales of interoperculum uniserial, covering only about half the
width of the bone. Scales of preopercular limb none. Scales on dorsal
developed as a deep sheith (involving last spine) of small scales differenti-
ated from those on the back, and with series advancing high up the mem-
brane behind each ray (except last two or three.) Scales on anal ascend-
ing aigh behind each ray. Mouth moderate. Supramaxillary endin<T con-
siderr.bly in front of hinder margin of orbit (about under hinder border of
pupil.) Dorsal rays articulated 13, anal III, 10-11, pectoral, 1.16-1 17
Dorsal fin little depressed, the ninth spine being onlv about a half shorter
thr.„ the longest (3,4,5) anda fourth shorter than the tenth. Cenfrarchus
obscurus Dekay, Orystes fasciatus Les.

Micropterus pallidus, Fig. 37. Raf. -Large mouthed black bass.
Large mouthed. Scales of trunk moderate (e.y./a^. /tne, 65-70 ; between
lateral line and back, 7^ or 8 rows.) Scales on nape and breast scarcelv
(on nape,) or not much (on breast) smaller than those of sides. Scales of
cheeks moderately small {e. g. between orbit and preoperculum, about 10
rows m an oblique line and about 5-6 in a horizontal one.) Scales of in
teroperculum uniserial covering the entire width of the bone Scales of
preopercular limb developed in an imperfect row (e. g. 3-5 in number )
Scales on dorsal developed as a low (obsolete) shallow sheath, and with
series ascending comparatively little on mem!,rane behind the rays (none
behind last five or six.) Scales one anal none (or verv few.) Mouth lan^e
Supramaxillary extending considerably behind the "posterior m-ip.rin "of
orbit. Dorsal rays articulated, 12 (1. 11 ;) anal III, 10; pectoral! 1 14
(1.14.) Dorsal fin much compressed, the ninth spine beinsr only about a
fourth as long as the longest and half as long as the tenth. Huro nigri-
cans a. d: V. Micropterus Horidanus Les.. great lakes and streams from
L. Champlaiu S.and W.: common in N. Y. and in most regions west of the
Alleganies; introduc,! <:,.tward, [G. fascial us, (U'S.) Ag.obscurus De K
(young) M. achigaj, { K.r.) (Jill. etc. etc.

AMBLOPLITES -/?«/.
Centrarchus, Cuvier, pf.
A mijloplites Ri pestris — Baf.
Fig. 38.
Rock b:.-.u..ogleeye, red eye.—Depth alM)ut half leuirth ; head more
than onethinl; eye nearly four in head, verv large ; cheeks scalv front
convex; longest <lorsal ray tw(, thirds de|»th of head at front of 'orbit •
brassy olive with gohlen green and blackish markings; a dark spot at basJ
of each seale, which is conspicuous after death, iriving a striped appear-
ance; I).XI,ll; A.VI.IO; lat. 1,42: L. S. ' J re.at lakes and rivers west
of the Alh.ghonies; an abundant species. [C. ^^neus, Lqh. A ichthe-
hides, (Raf.) Ag.J An exceUent pan fish, and worthv of protection and
propagation.

132

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

[No. 20,

AP0M0TI8-/?a/.
1\ Upomis^-Raf.—Bryltas — Cuv. & Val.

ArOMOTIS CYANELLIS— 7?a/'.

Blue-spott«.'(l Min fish.— Dark clear olive-o-reen, each scale with a blue
spot and mor- or less of gilt edging, the body thus rtpi)earing more or less
striped along the rows of scales; colors variable, golden olive, green or
even almost l»lue ; cheeks with bright blue horizontal stripes ; body more or
less besprinkled with irregular dark dots ; vertical fins marked with green
and l)lue,and more or less edged with pale orange: usually a distinct black
dorsal spot ; opercular spot small, with brassy edgings ; depth ^ in length,
bead 2.V; dorsal spines low and stout ; lat. 1. 48; L. 4 to 6. Great lakes,
Ohio valley and W., abundant. {A. longulus and A. formosus, V>n\., A.
mineopas, Cope.) Abundant in the Ohio water system. A good i)an-iish.

LEPID0P0MTJ8 -Jiaf.
Lepomis^ Ichthelis and Pomoiis — Baf.
This j'oniis embraces the largest number of species of Centrar chin a, and
is distribiilj il i-very where.

* Pal.MtliK' teeth present ; usually no black blotches on last rays of dorsal
and anal. ( L'pidopomus.)

Lepidopomis nepmelus — Cope. Chain side.

Briiiht steel blue, with many bronze orange spots, which cover nearly the
whole surface, so arranged that the ground color forms a series of vertical
chain-like bars, very conspicuous in life ; vertical fins mottled with bronze,
and usually more or less edged with pale orange ; no black dorsal spot ; no
distinct blue eheek stripes, but sides of head shaded with purplish; body
rather elongate: head somewhat acute: oi)ercular spot small; depth 5i.\
in leniith; In ".! u.-arly 3; lat. I. 42 ; L. 3 to 4. Ohio valley. A small
species and <hu t.f the handsomest ; extremely hardy in aquaria. t\nd per-
haps the ni'-' voracious of the sun fishes. Western Perjisylvania.

Lepidopomis aiuitus — Linn. — Fig. 30.

I.ong-eMn'i i'..n<l P'i«h.— Red-tailed Bream.— Sun IVrch.— Dusky olive ;
liellv and v.iti.al fins largely red; sides of body largely blue, with rusty
red spots : blue stripes on hea<l ; spines rather short : body rather elongate ;
opercular Ihip very long, hmger than any in otlier species, except the
Southern Xmotis fallax, and extremely narrow. Maine to Alabama, east
of the Alleghenies, abundant ; the only long-eared sun-fish occurring in
New Kngland. A large handsome species, known at (mce by the peculiar
ear fia]). L. 6 to 10. (I. rubricauda. appendix, etc., of authors.)
Abundant in the Delaware and Suscpiehanna. A bright yellow variety oc-
curs in the latter river basin.

** No palatine teeth ; dorsal spines very high; a more or less distinct
])lack blotch on last ravs of dorsal and anal.

Leg. Doc.j State Commissioners of Fisheries. 133

Lepidopomus rALUVLS—MUch Fig. 40.

BlucSm, lish.-Copper-nosedBream._01ive green; adults dark; younff
more or loss silvery, often uniformly so in spirits; a more or less distinct
purple lustre in life ; sides with undulating, some times chnin-like trans-
verse bars, most conspicuous in the young ; a black spot on base of dorsal
and anal behind; no blue stripes on cheeks; no red on fins; operculr Hap
moderately long and wide in adults, without pale edge, very short in voun<. •
body deep, compressed, caneral peduncle rather slender ; head 3 in ieno-th •
depth about 2 ; dorsal spines very long ; D. X, 11 ; A. Ill, 10 ; lat. I 40
to 45 ; L 3. Great lakes to Delaware H. (Abbott) and S.. abundant. ' A
large and very variable species, but almost alwavs recognizable by the
characters above emphasized. (Fchtheli, incimr, Auct.) Adult speci-
mens are often nearly obicular and have the belly cappery red

A bundant in A^^.M .,„ Pennsylvania. Not found in the- Atlantic streams
north of CaroliiiM.

POMOTIS-C/u-.
PoMOTis Ai.REi&_Tla/6.— Fig. 41.
CommoM snn-Hsh.-Pumpkin seed.-Bream.-Depth more than half
lengh; g.v,n,.h olive above, sides orange-spotted; orange yellow IHow •
cheeks ..r.n.uv,with blue wavy streaks; ear-fiap rounded, broadly ed^^ed
with scarlet, below and behin.l ; lower fins orange, upper orange-spotted-
sp.nes rather h.gh; D. X. 10; A. 111,9; lat. 1. 37. (Jreat^kls and
streams, c nelly northward and K. of the Alleghenies; our most familiar
species. (I . macult.-.nis, auritus, an.l vulgaris of authors.) Abund-.nt in
ad parts of I>en„.^ ivnuia. In tide water it attains a lar^ie size, and is an
important food fi^l.. appearing in large numbers in tlie eastern markets.

ENNEACANTHUS - Giff.
ExXEACAXTin S OBESl S— /^flirrf.

Fig. 42.
Depth ab..„t !,.lf Knjrth ; dorsal and anal moderately elevated in 9 • .l^rk
ol.ve green, uiii, . i^ht strong black cross-bars and purplish spots; lateral
me usually incon.pl- ,e ; cheeks with lines and spots ; opercular Map velvet-
black, bor.lered ^^■lU purple; a dark bar beh>w eye; D. IX. 10; A. Ill,

« .:stwise from Mass. southward ; a handsome little fish.'
Urn Pennsyhv.nia.

10; L.3. Strcn
Rare in soutli.

K XXEACANTUrS iHTTXTlS—JlorriS.

niue-sp,.ir..,I .,a lish.-Buly without definite blackish cross-bars in
males covMvl uith ro.nd bright sky-blue spots: a pearly blue spot'on

I V 'Tr ' ' .V'n"'^ "'""-"'' ''•'" •" ''•^' "^''^'''^ • ^^^^*''-^'' '"'- complete: D.
garotix—{, il\ and Jordan.)

(^ommon in south-eastern Pennsylvania.

134

State Commissioners op Fisheries.

[No. 20,

POMOXYS -iia/.
Dorsal spines in)nnally 7 ; body much elevated ; depth half length. {Hy-
per istius^ Gill.)

POMOXYS NIQROMACULATUS — Les.

Grass Bass.— (\ilico Bass— Depth 2 in length ; head hearly 3 ; snout
projecting, formino; an angle with the descending profile; mouth large,
very oblique, but smaller than in the next ; fins very large ; anal larger
than dorsal ; bright olive green and silvery ; sides and fins much mottled ;
the anal fin nearly as much variegated as the dorsal ; D. YIIl, 15 ; A. YI,
18 ; lat. 1. 41 ; L. 8. Great lakes to Delaware R., (Abbott,) and S. W. ; a
handsome fish. [I', hexacanthus, (C. and Y.,) Ag.] A valuable table fish.

** Dorsal spims normally 6 ; body less elevated, depth about one third
length.

POMAXYS ANNULARIS — Raf. — Fig. 43.

Bachelor, (Ohio river,) New Light, (Ky.,) Crappie, (St. Louis.)— Depth
two fifths to om' third length, scarcely greater than length of head ; oliva-
ceous, silvery below ; sides with irregular clusters of dark spots ; the lower
parts of the sides and the anal fin usually plain ; D. YII, (Y to YIII) 15 ;
A. YI, IT ; lat. 1.43 (30 to 48), L. 10. Mississippi valley a table fish of
some value; abundant and exceedingly variable. (P. storerius, nitidus,
intermedins, protacanthus, and brevicanda of authors.) Not found in At-
lantic streams.

8CIAENDAE.

AYhile marine species of this family are abundant on our coasts, very few
are habitually fluriatde, and these are confined to the Mississippi waters
and those of the Athnitic from Carolina south and west. They belong to
one genus, which is distinguished by the co-ossification of the inferior phar-
yngeal bones as in rharyugognathi.

AMBLODON— J?rj/.

Haploidonotus — Jlaf.
Amblodon grunniens — Baf,
Fig. 44.
Sheep's He:i.l, White Perch, Grunter, Drum.— Depth 3 in length; head
3.V; back elevntid forwards, and much compressed; spines strong; first
anal spine short ; the second very large, attached to a stout bone ; grayish
silvery, uusky above; scales rather large and irregularly placed, punctate
with black; D. IX— 1,30; A. 11,7; lat. 1.54. Great lakes, Mississippi
valley, etc., abundant. (Corvina oscula and C. grisea, of authors.) Three
other species of this genus have been described, but their validity is ex-
ceedingly doubtful. Southward this species is considerably valued as
food, but in the great lakes its flesh is ill-scented and worthless. Alle-
gheny river.

Lia. Doc] State Commissioners op Fisheries.

135

VII. lABRYINTHICI.

Basis cranii double, with muscular tube. Superior pharjTigeals without
the fourth ; third massive, articulated to cranium ; one or other of the su-
perior branchihyals developed into vertical laminae, often involuted. In-
ferior pharyngeals distinct. Dorsal fin spinous.

Fishes of this division form two families, which belong to tropical Asia.
Their peculiar branchial structure enables them to live out of water for
long periods, and to bury themselves in mud during dry seasons. A rep-
resentative fish is the gourami, Osphromenus olfax, which is an important
article of food.

VIII. PHAEYNGOGNATHI.
Basis cranii double with tube ; basilar bones of pectoral four, short ;
scapula with median foramen. Cranium normal posteriorly ; posttemporal
bifurcate. Sui)erior branchihyals not complicated ; superior pharyngeals
with the third greatly developed and attacked by movable articulation to
cranium, the others wanting or rudimental. Inferior pharyngeal solidly
coossified. Families three, the species mostly marine. The burgall and
blackfisli or tautog, are well known representatives.

136

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

[No. 20,

SYSTEMATIC SY:N0PSIS.

DERMOPTERI.

Hyperoarti.
Petromyzontidiii, species, - 4

PISCES.
HYOPOMA TA.

CHONDBOSTEI.

Selacuostomt.
Polyodontida?, 1

Glaniostomi.
Accipenserida?, 5

ACTINOPTERI.
PIiySOSTOMI.

Ginolymodi.
LepidosteidiT?, 8

Halecomorpiii.
Amiid.T, 1

Nematognatiii.
Siluridiu, 13

Plectospondyll

Catostomidii', It

Cypriuidje, 86

ISOSPONDYLI.

Porcopsida?, 1

Salmonida', * 8

Hyodontida', ... 1

Clupeidiv, . . • 6

IIaplomi.

Esofida', 6

Umbrida', .... ..... 2

Cyprinodoiitida*, 6

ENCnELYCEPIIALI.

Anguillida;, 1

Leg. Doc] State Commissioners of Fisheries. I8t

PIIYSOCLYSTI.

Percesoces.

Atherinidjv, 3

Synentognathi.

Belonidae, 2

Hemibranchi.

Gasterosteida?, 2

Percomorphi.

Gadida?, |

Cottidjt^, 4

Aphododirida?, . . \

Percidae, 33

Sciiunida?, j

Total number of species, of which four have been introduced, . . 15T

INDEX TO POPULAR NAMES.

Page.

Alewife, 105

Anchovey, ... 106

Bachelor, 134

Barred killitish, 110

Banded sucker, 85

Bean's darter,

Big-nioutbed buffalo, 83

Big-mouthed cat, 79

Bill fish, 74

Black buffalo, 83

Black cat, 79

Black head, 90

Black horse, 8-1

Black lam prey, 60

Black-nosed dace, 98

Black-sided darter, 125

Black-sided killifish, HI

Blenny darter, 125

Blob, 122

Blue cat, 80

Blue darter, 127

Blue johnny, .... ..... 127

Blue-spotted sun tish, 132,133

Blue-spotted sun tish, 132

Blue sun lish, 133

Blunt-jawed minnow, 91

Blunt-nosed minnow, 91

Blunt-nosed sturgeon, 70

Bony gar, 73,74

Bony sturgeon, 70

BowHn 17,75

Box-mouthed dace, j

Bream, 92,133

Bream, 92

Brook stickleback, .... 118 ,

Brook trout,

Brown buffalo flsli, 83

Brown-nosed dace, 98

Bull-head, 78

Burbot,

Calico bass, 131

Cat tisli of tlio lakes, 79

Cave bull-head, 122

Cave cat fisli, 80

Chain-sided sun lish, 132

Page.
Channel cat, 80

Channel cat of the Potomac, 79

Chrosomus, . .

Chub 97,99

I Chubby cat, 78

; Chub sucker, 86

Cope's sucker, 87

Copper-nosed bream, 133

I Cod, 121

Crappie,

Creek tisli,

I Cut lips, 99

Dace, 97

Day chub,

Deformed carp sucker, . . -. 82

Dog lish, 75

Dog tish, 75,109

Dory, 128

Drum, 184

Duck-billed cat, 69

Esistern mud minnow, 100

Eastern red horse,

Kel, 112

Eel-pout, 121

Emerald minnow, 05

Eumpean carp,

Fall tish, 97

Fan-tailed darter, 127

Flat-head 00

P'lorida cat, ... 70

Four spined stickleback,

Oar pike, ... 74

Oasperean, 105

Gizzard shad, 106

Gla.ss eye, 128

GoJ)lin, 122

Goggle eye, 181

<»olden re«l horse, 87

Gold tish, 90

Gourd-seed sucker, 84

Grass-bass, 17,134

Gray pike, 74,128

Great blue cat, 79

(ireat fork-tailed cat, 79

<ireen pike, log

140

State Commissioners op Fisheries.

[No. 20,

Page.

Green-sided darter, 125

Grunter, 134

Hemitremia,

Herring, 104

Hickory sliad, 108

Hog flsli 124

Hog Slicker, ••.... 86

Horned chub, 97

Horned dace, 97

Horn pout 78

Jerker, 97

Jolinny darter, 126

Lake carp sucker, 83

Lake cusk, 127

Lake herring, 163

Lake hiwyer, 121

Lake mullet, , .... 87

Lake mullet, 87

Lake i»ike, 107

Lake sturgeon, 71

Lake trout,

Lake white tish 103

Large-mouthed black bass,

T^east darter, 127

Ling, 121

Little pickerel, 108

Little star gazer, 121

IjOg porch, 124

TiOng-eared pond fish, 132

Long-finned carp sucker, 82

liong-headed darter, 125

Long-jawed «Mt, 78

Long-nosed dace 93

Long-nosed sucker, 86

Mackinaw trout, 102

Margined stone cat, 77

Michigan herrmg,

Michigan grayling, 103

Miller's thumb, 121

Mississippi cat, 79

Missouri sucker, 84

Moon eye, . 104

Moss ba^-s,

Mud cat, 77

Mud dace, 109

Mud fish, 75

Mud minnow, 109

Mud sucker, 85

Mulllo-jaws, 122

Mullet m

Muskallunge, 107

New light

Nigger chult, 99

Northern iiic'kcrcl,

Ohio golden shad, 106

Ohio slickel back 118

Oswego bass, •

Page.
Pearly dace 96

; Pickerel, 107

Pigmy minnow, 93

Pike,

Pirate perch, 122

Pumpkin seed, 133

Quillback, 83

Rainbow tish, 127

Red-bellied dace, 91

Red-eye, 131

I Red-tin, 94

' Red-fin 93

Red-tinned shiner, 93

I Red horse, 88

I Red-sided minnow, 90

I

Red-sided sucker, 86

Red sturgeon, 71

i Red-tailed bream, 132

I River silverside,

Roach, 97

Rock bass 131

Rock tish, 124,129

Rock tish, . . 124

Rock sturgeon, 70

Rosy dace, 96

Rosy-faced minnow

Rough-head, 93

Rough-headed shiner, 95

Royal minnow,

Sail Hsh, 83

Salmon 10t),128

Sand darter, 124

Sand pike, 128

Sanger,

Sea lamprey, 66

Sea salmon, 102

Sea sturgeon, 70

Sliad, 105

Sharp-nf»sed sturgeon, 70

Slieepshcad, 134

Shielded darter, 125

Shiner, 93

Shiner, 92

Short-nosed gar pike, 74

Shovel-nosed sturgeon, 70

Silver bass, 104

Silver-fin, 94

Silver ship-jack

Silvery c^irp sucker, 83

Silvery lamprey, 66

Silvery minnow, 91

Skim-Jack,

Skip-Jack 106

Slippery miller's thumb, 121

Slender, , . 121

Small black lamprey, ()6

Small cattish, 78

Leg. Doc]

State Commissioners op Fisheries.

Hi

Page.

Small-mouthed buffalo, 84

Small-mouthed blacK bass,

Small-mouthed red horse, 87

Smelt, 93

•'^•"elt, 93^103

Spawn-eater, 93

Spear lish, 33

Speckled trout, 102

Spoon-billed sturgeon, 69

Spotted mullet, 85

Spotted shiner, 93

Sixjtted sun-tish, 130

Spring herring 105

Spring .luimmichog, no

Stilbe stickleback, 117

Stone lugger, §9

Stone-roller, 85

Stone-roller, 89

Striped bas.s, 129

Striped lake bass 129

Striped sucker, a5

Suckers, 81, 85,

Sun-fish, 133

Swelt minnow, qx

Page.
Sun perch, 132

Tadpole stone cat, 77

Tes.sellated darter, 125

Toothed herring, 104

Top minnow m

Trout darter, 128

Wall-eyed pike, 128

Western trout pickerel 108

White bass, 129

White cat, 79

White cat, 80

White-eyed shiner, 95

White nose, 57

VVhite perch,

White perch 129,134

White sucker, 86

White sucker, 85

Wilson's bull-head, 122

Yellow cat, jg

Yellow perch, i29

Yellow pike, 128

Yellow stone cat, 77

Zoned darter 126

142

State CoMMrssioNEBS of Fisheries.

mDEX OF SCIENTIFIC :n^ames.

[No. 20,

Page.

Accipenseridfe, 69

Accipenser, Tiinn., 70

brevirostris, Les., 70

niaculosus, Les., 70

rubicuiidus, Les., 71

sturii), Linn., 70

Actinopteri, 68, 71

Alhulidju 99

Alepocephalidte, 100

Alvardius, (Jirard., 125

niacrocephalus, Cope, 125

125

125

134

134

131

maculatus, rUrard.,

peltatus, Stuulf., .
AmblondiUJ, Raf., . .

j^runnieus, Raf., .
Ambloplites, Raf., . .

rupestris. Rat'., 131

Aniblyopsidic, 107

Anna, Linn., 75

calva, Linn., 75

Ainiidfc, 76

Aniiurns, Raf., Gill, . . 77

Page.

Blenniidffi, 120

Boleosama, Deka3', 125

jewpus, Cope, 126

niacnlatuin, Ag., 126

olnistedi, Stor., 126

Brevnrlia, Gill, 104-105

nienhadea, 105

Bubalichthyinaj, 81

Bnbaiidithys, Ag., 83

urns, Agasi, 83

nyanellus, Nels., 84

Canipostx>nia, Ag., 88

anonialnni, Raf., 89

Carassius, Nills., 90

90

82

82

83

83

83

Cope,

an rat us, L.,
Carpiodes, Raf.,
cntisiinserinus,
cyprinus, Raf.,
dillorniis. Cope,
thonipsoni, Ag.,

velifer, Raf., 82

Catostoniidif, 81

albidns, Les., 79 1 Catostoininfe, 82

catus, Linn., 78 I Catostonins, Les., 85

lopbius, Cope, 79 ! longirostruin, Les., 86

nielas, Raf., "9 j nielanops, Raf., 85

natalis, Les., 78 nigricinis, Les., 85

nigricans. Lea., 79 j teres, Mitrli., 85

olivaris, Raf., 77 Centrarchinu', 130

vulgaris, Thonip., 78 Centrarehus, 123

Amphisilidfe, 117 Centriscidm, 117

Anacanthini, 119 Cbacno»)ryttU9,

Anguilla, Thumb., 112 ' Cliaracinidso, 81

rostrata, Les., 112 Chasinistes,

Anguillidje 112 i Ciiirocentridji^ 100

Apeltes, Dokay, 118 Chondrostei, 60, 68

quadracus, Mitch., 118 Chrosotnus, Raf., 91

AphododeridiP, 122-121 erylhrogaster, Raf., 91

Aphododerus. Les,, 122 Cliola, ( Jird., 95

^yanns, Gill., 122

Apomotis, Raf., 133

cyanellus, Raf., . . 132

Athernia, L., 115

berryllina. Cope, 115

Atherinida', 115

Aulopidjjj 100

Belone, Cuv., 116

trnncata, Les., 116

Belonidic, 116

scabri(«ps. Cope, 95

Clupea, Linn, . 104,10.'>

chrysochloris, Raf., 106

pseudoharengns, Wils., 105

sapidissima, Wils., 105

Clnpeidii' 100,104

CobitidjB,

Cochlobori 99

Coelophori, 99

Coloncephali, 113

Leg. Doc] State Commissioners op Fisheries.

143

Page.
Congridje, m

Coregonidae, iqq

Coregonus, Linn, 191,103

albus, Les., 103

artedi, Linn, .....' 103

Cottida', 120,121

Crossopterygia, 68

Cycleptus, Raf., §4

elongatus, Les., 84

Cyprinidjp, .... 88

Cyprinodontidae, 107

Cyprinus, Linn 90

carpio, Linn, 90

Derinopteri, 54

Diplesiuin, Raf., 125

blennioides, Raf., 125

D'Pnoi, 67

r>istegi, 120

Dorysoma^Raf., 104,106

cepedianum, Les., 106

Elassoniido), 121

Elopidte,

Enchelycephali, m

Engraulis, Cuv., 105,10(5

vittatus, Mitoh., iqq

Enneaoanthus, Gilb., 133

gutUitus, Morris, 133

obesus, liaird, 133 |

EpclHsniia, j2o i

Epicysti, ' gc,

Ericyniba, Cope, 99 ;

buccatH, Cope, 99 j

Eriniy/x)n, Jordan, . 86 '

siicetta, Lac, 86

Erythinidm,

Esocidu\ Pike, 197

Esox, Linn., . . jgy

cypho, Coi>e io7 1

Indus, Linn., igg

nobilior, Thonip., 107

porosus, Cope, 109

reticulatns, Les 108

saliiioneus, Raf., 108

Etbeostonia, Rjif., J27

flabbellaris, Raf., , 127 1

Etheostoniatinie, 223 !

Eucalia, Jordan, IIS-I17

inoonsuins, Kirt., ug

Exoglossuin, Raf., 99

maxillingua, Les., 99

Fistulariidjc ,

Fundulus, Lac, hq '

diaphanus. Lea., 119

heteroclitus, Linn., no

nigrofasciatus, Les no

pisculemus, Mitcli., no 1

Page.
Gadidfe, 121

Galaxiidae, jqq

Gasterosteidse, 117

Oila, Bd. and Gird., 96

elongatas, Kirt., 95

funduloides. Gird., 95

margarita, Cope, 96

Ginglyniodi, 73

Glanencheli, m

Glaniostomi, 69

Gobiesocidee, 120

Gobiidee, . . 220

Gonorhynchidie, jyo

Gromias, Cope, go

nigrilabus, Cope, 60-80

Hadropterius, Ag., . . 125

tessellatus, Jordan, 125

Halecomorpiii, 73-75

Haplodoci, no

Haplonii, io7

Heinibranchi, 113-117

Heniitreniia, Cope, 92

bifrenata, Cope, 92

Heterosoniata, 114-119

Heterotidii', joo

Ilolocephali, 67

Holoatonii, m

Hybognathus, Ag., 91

argyritis. Gird., 91

nuchalis, Ag., 91

regius, itird., 91

Hyborliynchus, Ag., go

iiotatus, Raf., gj

Ilydrarygra, I^c, nO

niajalis, Bloch. Sclni., no

Hj'odon, Les., 104

tergisus, Les., 104

Hyodontldjo, 100-104

Hj-opomata, gg

llyperoarti, 55

Hyperotrcti,

Ichtliflclurus, Raf., go

cojrulescens, Raf., go

IchthyobuM, Raf. gy

bubolus, Raf., 83

Ichthyocephali, m

Isospondyli, 99

Labidestiies, Cope, ns

slcculus. Cope, ns

Ijabyrinthhri, 135

Labrax, Cuv., 129

mericjinns, Ginel., 129

ciirysops, Raf., 129

lineatus, Bl. Schu., 129

Ijiunpt'tra, (iray, 66

argentea, Kirtl., 66

144

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

[No. 20,

Page.

fluviatilis, Linn., 66

nigra, Rat"., 66

Lepidoponius, Raf., 132

auritus, Linn., 132

nephelus, Cope, 132

pallidas, Mitoh., 133

Lepidosteidaj, 78

Lepiiiosteus, Lac • • 74

osseus, Linn., 74

platystonius, Raf., 74

Leptocardii, 64

Liponiyzon,

Lophobranchii, 113,118

Lota, Cuv., 122

lacustris, Walb., 121

LutodiridiP, ' 100

Luxilus, llaf., 92

anianis. Gild., 93

analostanms, Gird., 94

clialyliaens, Coi>e, 93

conmtus, MiU-if., 93

hudsonius, Clinton, 93

prociio, Cope, 93

Lythrurus, Jordan, 94

diphunius. Hat'., 94

Meicroperca, Putnani 127

punctuiata, Putin., 127

Mesocjsti, 88

AlesogonistiuM,

Micropterus, Lao., 130

pallidas, Raf., 131

salim)ides, Lac, 130

Magilidic, 115

Muraenesocida?, 112

Myxostonia, Raf., 86

aiircolani, I^es., 87

nnacn)l>pidotan), Les., 86

velatum. Cope, 87

Neuiatognathi, 73,75

Noconiis, Gird., 97

biguttatus, Kirtl., 97

dissiniilis, Kirtl., 98

niioropogon. Cope, 98

Notenngonus, Haf., 92

chrysolencas, Mitch., 92

Nothonotus, Ag., 128

macnlatus, Kirtl., 126

/onaliH, C.>pe, 126

Notopteridto,

Notropis, Raf., • ... 95

dinenuis, Raf., 95

photogenis, Cope, 95

rul)rifrona. Cope, 95

Noturus, Raf., 76

flavas, Raf., 77

gyrinus, Mitch., 77

Page.

Insignis, Rich., 77

Oncorhynchus, Suckloy, 101

quinnat, Richd. su., 101

Opheocephalidae, 115

Opisthenii, . .' 113

Osmerus, Linn, 100,103

niordax, Mitch., 103

Osteoglossidae, 100

Pantosteus,

Pedicalati, 114,118

Pegasidje, 117

Perca, Linn 129

rtaviatilis, Linn, 129

Percesoces, 113,115

Percidse, 121,122

Percina', 127

Percina, Halde., 124

caprodes, Raf., 124

Perconiorphi, ^. . . . 119

Percopsidiv, 100

Percopsis, Ag., 100

guttatus, Ag., 100

Petroniyzon, Linn, 65

niarinus, Linn, 65

Petroniy//)ntidie, 65

Pharyngognatlii, 135,114

Phenaci»bia8, Cope, 94

teretulus. Cope, 95

Physochysti, 71

Physoely8ti, . 71, 73

Pliysostonn, 71

Piniei>hales, Raf., 90

I)roniela», Raf., 90

Pisces, 'iid

Placopharynx, Cope, 87

Ciirniatus, Cope, 87

Plectognathi 114,119

Plectospondj'li, 80

Pleurolepis, Ag., 124

})ellucidus, Bd., 124

Poecilichthys, Ag., 126

variatus, Kirtl., 126

Polyodon, Lac, 69

folium, I>ac., 69

Polyodontidsp, 69

Poniotis, Cuv., 133

aureus, Walb., 133

Poiuoxys, Kaf., 134

ainndaris, Kaf., 134

nigroniaculatus, Les., 134

Potaniocottus, (Jill 122

nicridionalis, (tird., 122

wilsoni. Gird., ......... 122

Quassilabia, 82

Rliegnopteri, 120

Rhinichthys, Ag., 98

Leo. Doo.J State Commissioners op Fisheries.

145

Page,
atronasus, Mitch., gg

cataractae, C. V., 99

obtusus, Ag., 98

Salnio, Linn, . ... 102

fontinalis, Mitch., 102

iridens, Gibb., 102

namaycush, Bloch., . 102

salar, L., ] io2

SalmonidsB, iqq

Sanridw, ... iqq

Scaphirhynchops, Gill, 70

platyrhyuchus, Raf., 70

see 8combre.socidae, no

Sciaenidae, jg^

Scyphobranchii, 120

Scyphophovi, qq

Selachii, (yj

Selachostoniri, gg

Heniotilus, Raf., gg

bullaris, Raf., 97

ooriKjralus, Mitch., 97

Page.

Silurldse, 7^

Sternopygidas,

Stizostethinum, Raf., 127

canadense. Smith, 128

vltreum, Mitch 128

ver Saimonani, Kip., 128

Synentognathi, 113-116

Thymallus, . lOl-lol

tricolar. Cope, 103

Umbra, Kamer, 109

limi, Kirtl., 109

pygmaea, Dekay, '109

Uml)rhiie, 1Q9

Uranidea, Dekaj', 107-121

gracilis, Meckel, 121

viscosa, Halde, 121

Uranoscopid8B, ^20

Xenotis

180

Xystroplites, jgQ

Zygonectes, Ag., m

notatus, Raf., m

10 Fish Uep.

U6

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

[No. 20,

EXPENDITURE OF THE APPROPRI A.TION OF

JUXE 3, 1878.

187

7.

Xov.

28.

1878.

Oct.

9.

28.

Xov.

5.

Dec.

13.

28.

1879.

Feb.

1.

6.

6.

t.

12.

18.

28.

March 8.

Paid Brunei' Williams, bass, .

Creveling, salary, ....
John Bell, junior, bass, .

Telejrraphs,

Creveling, transportation,
Creveling, salary, ....

81.

April 1.

May 6.

t.

12.
14.

IT.
21.
22.

26.

28.

31.

J une 5.

9.

.lulv 19.

Bink, meat bill, ....
Worrall, actuary, ....
Creveling, transportation,
J. Dutfv, personal exi^enses
Creveling, salary, ....
BuUer, labor, ....
Hoover, teaming, ....

Simpson, fees,

Mcpherson, warden, . .
Clapp et al., attonieys' fees,
Creveling, transportation,
Creveling, salary to date.
Miller & Co., hardware, . .
Creveling, transportation,
John Bell, junior, bass,
Ludwick, warden, . .
John Bell, junior, Imiss,
Freeburg, trout fry, . .
John Bell, junior, bass,
L. B. llotlnian & Co., trout fr
Creveling, transportation, .
Lowe. exi)enses, warden, . .
Hollow Ware Company- , cans
Bink, meat bill, ....

Ludwick, warden, . . .
Creveling, transportation, .

Creveling, salary,

BuUer, labor,

y

$7 20

200

00

88

00

1

81

100

00

200

00

17

81

300

00

100

00

100

00

400

00

156

00

87

00

10

00

43

18

51

24

200

00

150

00

10

03

100

00

10

00

25

00

15

00

57

00

7

00

42

00

100

00

15

00

100

25

44

12

50

00

100

00

200

00

168

75

Leo.

Doc]

July

28.

Aug.

20.

Sept.

1.

26.

Oct.

3.

9.

18.
on

Xov. 1,

8.

5.

10.

U.

IT.

25.

26.

Dec.

8.

19.

20.

22.

1880.

Jan.

13.

Feb.

18.

20.

25.

28.

March 16.

April

16.

Mav 13.

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

Ludwick, warden, $50 00

Creveling, repairs, &c., . ' . . 50 00

Bink, meat bill, 43 00

Rudesill, repairs, &c., ... g 60

Ludwick, warden, 50 00

Lowe, bass, 101 25

Lowe, bass, 149 12

Samuel Gray, assistant warden, 8 00

Sterrett & Spangler, 3 99

Creveling, salary, . . 250 00

L. Stone, transporting salmon, . 93 00

Ludwick, warden, 50 00

Bell, junior, bass, 55 40

Bink, meat bill 36 66

Harman, assistant, hatching-
house, 10 00

Ludwick, warden, 25 00

Lowe, warden, 65 00

Heilman, labor, 40 00

Ludwick, expense, extra, . . .30 00

Creveling, transportation, . . 100 00

Ludwick, expense, extra, ... 10 00

Ludwick, warden, 25 00

Harman, assistant, hatching-
house, . . . 10 00
Ludwick, expense, <S:c., .... 37 90
Creveling, transportation, . . . 100 00

John Hummel, expense, ... 109 00

Ci. M. Miller, expense, .... 129 70

Hoover, warden 25 00

Ludwick. warden 50 00

Creveling, transportation, ... 100 00

T. Lynch, warden, 75 oo

Ludwick, warden, ' 25 00

Worrall. expense, . . . . 53

Ludwick, 25 00

Ludwick, expense, prisoners, . 16 00
Mr. Hewit's retunis of western

hatching-bouse, \'c., . . . 3,002 22

Mr. Reeder. Delaware district, . 1,091 65

I>»tto 656 78

Worrall, on account, 37 85

Total

147

!S10,000 00

148

State Commissioners of Fisheries.

[No. 20,

COMMISSIONERS ON FISHERIES.

United States.
Professor Spencer F. Baird, Washington, D. C.

Alabama.
Charles S. G. Doster, Pratt ville.

California.

S. R. Throckmorton, San Francisco.

B. B. Uedfling, San Francisco.

J. D. Farwell, Alameda.

Colorado.
TV. E. Sistej', Brookvale.

Connecticut.

W. M. Hudson, Hartford,

Robert G. Pike, Middletown.

James A. Bill, Lyme.

Georgia.

Thomas P. Janes, commissioner of agriculture and i
ex-ojfficio commissioner of fisheries, t a»ta.

Illinois.

X. K. Fairbank, Chicago.

S. P. Bartlett, Quincy.

J. Smith Briggs, .... Kankakee.

Iowa.
B. F. Shaw, Anamosa.

Kansas.
D. B. Long, Ellsworth.

Kentucky.

William Grittlth, president, 16G West Main street, . . Louisville.

John B. Walker, Madisonville.

Hon. C. J. Walton Munfords ville.

Leo. Doc] State Commissioners of Fisheries.

Hon. John A. Steele, Versailles.

Hon. J. H. Bruce, Lancaster.

P. H. Darby, Princeton.

Dr. S. W. Coombs, Bowling Green.

Hon. James B. Casey, Covington.

Gen. T. T. Garrard, Manchester.

Hon. W. C. Allen, Owingsville.

Maine.

E. M. StiUwell, Bangor.

Everett Smith Portland.

Maryland.

T. B. Ferguson, Baltimore.

Thomas Hughlett, Easton.

Massachusetts.

Theodore Lyman, Brookline.

E. A. Brackett Winchester.

Asa French j^^^^^^^

Michigan.

Eli R.Miller, Richland.

A.J. Kellogg, p^troit.

Dr. J. C. Parker, Grand Rapids.

Minnesota.

First District, Daniel Cameron, La Crescent.

Second District, William W. Sweney, M. D Red Wing.

Third District, R. Omsby Sweney, chairman, ... St. Paul. *

« MiSSOURL

I. G. W. Steedman, chairman, No. 2803 Pine street, . St. Louis

f ^'"^ ^^^'»^^ Lexington.

Silas Woodson, gt. Joseph.

Nevada.
H. G. Parker, earson Citv.

New Hampshire.

Samuel Weber Manchester.

Luther Hayes South Milton.

Albina H. Powers Plvmouth.

149

150

State Commissioners op Fisheries.
New Jersey.

[No. 20,

Dr. B. P. Howell, . Woodbury.

Col. E. J. Anderson, Trenton.

Theodore Morford, Newton.

New York.

R. Barnwell Roosevelt, T6 Chambers street, .... New York.

Edward M. Smith, Rochester.

Richard U. Sherman, New Hartford.

Eugene G. Blackford, 809 Bedford avenue, Brooklyn.

North Carolina.

L. L. Polk, (Commissioner of Agriculture,) .... Raleigh.

S. W. Worth, (Superintendent of Fisheries,) ... Morgantown.

Nebraska.

Robert R. Livingston, Plattsmouth.

H. S. Kaley, Red Cloud.

W. L. Maj', Fremont.

Ohio.

J. C. Fisher, president, Coshocton.

R. Cummings, treasurer, Toledo.

L. A. Harris, secretary, .... Cincinnati.

Pennsylvania.

H. J. Reeder, Easton.

Benjamin h. Hewit, HoUidaysburg.

James Dutty Marietta.

John Hummel, . . Selinsgrove.

Robert Dalzel, Pittsburgh.

G. M. Miller Wilkes-Barre.

Rhode Island.

Alfred A. Reed, Providence.

John H. Barden, Rockland.

Newton Dexter, Providence.

South Carolina.
A. P. Butler, Hamburg.

Tennessee.

AV. W. McDowell, Memphis.

(ieorge F. Akers, Nashville.

W. T. Turley, Knoxville.

Leg. Doc] State Commissioners of Fisheries.

Texas.

J. H. Dinkins, ... ^ » .

#. Austin.

I^TAH.

A. P. Rockwood, (absent ; information from Prof >

J. L. Barfoot, curator Desert Museum,) ; ^^^^ Lake City.

Vermont.

M. Goldsmith, ... t, ., ,

Charles Barrett, . J^"^!""^^'

Grafton.

Virginia.

Col. Marshall McDonald, t • .

Lexington.

West Vircjinia.

Henry B. Miller _. ,.

Christian S. White, ^^ ^^^*^"^-

N.M.Lowry, . . journey.

Hinton.

Wisconsin.

Ph>lo D,m„,„g. president „„„;,„„

J. \ . Jones, . ,. , ,

n T'„i ^ O.shko8h.

Mnl n f' """''"'■•" •■""' "•"••'''"•'■'• Janosville.

Mark Douglas, . . ,. ,

John F. Antis<lel, ^'""'"^

Christopher Hutchison, Milwaukee.

IT u' w 1 1 . l>ei«town.

H. A\ . W elsher, supennt.ndent Madison.

Dominion of Canada.

W. F. Whitcher.

Ottawa.

151

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Pjige

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ERRATA— TEXT.

71,
72,
73,
75,
75,
78,
78,
80,
91,
120,
123,
123,
134,
142,
142,
142,
143,
144,
144,
144,
144,
145,
145,
145,

last hue, for Malacpterygii read Malacoptervgii.
sixteenth line, for opisthoelion read opisthoclian.
t nrty-ninth line, for coracord read caracoid.
eleventh line, for blubers read bulbous.

twenty-first line, for f read J+.

tjventy-ninth line, for Plectosplondyi read Plectospondvll.

tlnrty-hrst luie, for both rea<l but.

tliirty-third line, for concoid read coracoid.

thirty-sixth line, f(,r provided read produced

thirty-sixth line, for the read they.

aetiond line, insert a star.

oleventh lit.e, for Alvardius read Alvordius.

hiteenth line, for Aniblondon read AmI.lodon.

last line, for Coloneephali read Coloeephali.

fourteenth line, for Groinias read (ironias.

fifth line, for Opistheini read Opisthomi.

twenty-third line, for proeuo read procune.

thirty-seeond line, for Soli noides read Salmoides

llxt!n^r'r""T' '"■ ^f;'':''"^"'""^'^"' '•e^<l MHerolepidotUMi.
s.ixtli hue, tor iridens read iridus.

ninth line, for tricohir read tricolor.

sixteenth line, for Scyplu.piiovi read Scyphophori.

ERRATA -PLATES.

ImV. jo, for nobiliar read nol.iiior.

Fig. 81, for reeticulatus read reticulatus.

Fig.3S, read Lnp,d<.po,nus Pallidum. Mitoii., from Klippart. See page 133

P.g. 40, read Ambloplitos ruprestis. II if., fro.n Klipp.r'. See page m

big. 43, tor Painaxys annulari- read Ponioxvs annularis.

END OF YEAR