TEE CIllMyKKA FAM!L\. 663 



OBSERVATIONS BY Luinvm KUMLIEN ON THE STURGEON OF THE GREAT LAKES. Mr. Kum- 

 lien, while engaged iu collecting the statistics of the Great Lakes fisheries in 1880, made a number 

 of very important notes upon the abundance of the Sturgeon and upon the sturgeon fishery in 

 that region, which will be quoted iu a subsequent portion of this work. 



THE STURGEONS OP CALIFORNIA. 



"The common Sturgeon of the Pacific coast, called distinctively the '"White Sturgeon,'" writes 

 Jordan, "is Acipenser transmontanitx. It readies a length of eight or ten feet or more, and is said 

 to attain a weight of four to five hundred pounds. We have seen none of over one hundred 

 and fifty pounds' weight. It is found in the Sacramento, Columbia, and Frazer Rivers in abun- 

 dance, ascending them at the time of the salmon run in the spring for the purpose of spawning. 

 Whether it enters the small streams, how long the run continues, and how far the Sturgeon ascend, 

 are matters at present unknown. The Sturgeon feeds on Crustacea, carrion, etc. In Frazer River 

 they gorge themselves on the eulachon. 



"The Sturgeon is one of the most important fish in the San Francisco market, being always 

 abundant and very cheap. Elsewhere the abundance and superiority of the salmon cause it to be 

 little used. Many are smoked. Caviare is made from the eggs. 



"Acipenser medirostris is known as the 'Green Sturgeon.' Its size and distribution are the 

 same as that of the White Sturgeon. It is, however, much less abundant. It is not used as 

 food, being reputed poisonous. We are unable to say on what facts this evil reputation is based." 



THE SHOVEL-NOSED STURGEON: WHITE STURGEON SCAPHIRHYNCHOPS PLATYRHYNCHUS. 



This species is found in abundance iu all the larger rivers of the West and South. It spawns 

 early iu May, ascending smaller streams for that purpose. Jordan states that in the Ohio River it 

 is taken in seines in considerable numbers and is used for food, though it does not seem to be 

 highly valued. He surmises that its habits are very similar to those of the Lake Sturgeon. 



196. THE CHIIOERA FAMILY CHIMffiRID^. 

 RAT-FISH OF CALIFORNIA CHIMERA COLLIEI. 



"This fish," writes Jordan, "is known as the 'Rat-fish' or 'Rat-tail.' It reaches a length of 

 nearly two feet, and a weight of six to eight pounds. It is very abundant everywhere from Mon- 

 terey Bay northward along the coast, especially in deep bays. It feeds on fishes and takes the 

 hook very readily. It spawns in July. The egg cases are two or three inches long, lanceolate, 

 long and slender, without tentacles. 



"The liver of the Chimaera is very large and well filled with an oil said to be superior to ordinary 

 shark oil. The flesh is worthless and the fish is too small to be an object of pursuit. It has, 

 therefore, no economic value." 



THE BLUE CHIMJERA CHIMERA AFFINIS. 



A species of Chimaera is frequently taken by the New England fishermen on the off-shore 

 fishing banks. It was described by Professor Gill under the name C. -plumbed, but proves to be a 

 species previously discovered on the coast of Spain. It has no economic importance. 



197. THE GAR-PIKES LEPIDOSTEID^. 

 THE LONG-NOSED GAR-PIKE LEPIDOSTEUS OSSEUS. 



This fish is known as "Gar-pike," "Bill-fish," "Sword-fish," etc., the names "Gar" and "Gar- 

 pike" usually predominating. It is found in the Great Lakes, and throughout the Mississippi 



