248 ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY AND ENTOMOLOGY 



of 300 to 500 pounds or more. The skin is provided with series 

 of large bony plates on the sides, on the back and beneath. 

 These plates are not contiguous, and so do not form a complete 

 covering for the body. Although the meat is rather coarse it is 

 largely used for food, and the egg masses, or roe, are used in 

 making caviar. Some of the largest species, such as those that 

 run up into the Columbia, were almost exterminated by wanton 

 destruction before the need of conserving them was realized. 



The garpikes, family Lepisosteidce, are common in the 

 lakes and rivers of the middle and eastern United States. 

 They are long and slender, and the body is covered with close- 

 set horny scales which form a complete armor. They are 

 carnivorous and often destroy great numbers of valuable food 

 fishes, they themselves being unfit for food. 



The catfishes, family Siluridce, are distinguished by their 

 smooth skin, which is without scales, and by the somewhat 

 flattened head and the numerous long, soft, slender feelers 

 about the mouth. There are many kinds known by different 

 common names, such as "horned pout," "bull-head/' "chan- 

 nel-cat," etc. The latter sometimes reaches a weight of 

 200 pounds. Most of them are excellent food fishes. 



The suckers, family Catostomidce, occur abundantly in almost 

 all regions. They feed on insects and small aquatic animals 

 which they suck up into their mouth. Some reach a length of 

 about three feet, but their flesh is flavorless and full of bones, 

 so they are but little used for food. 



The family Cyprinidce includes the carps, chubs, minnows 

 and gold fishes. One of the most common carps, Cyprinus 

 carpio, commonly known as the European carp, is a native of 

 China, where it has been domesticated for centuries. About 

 300 years ago it was introduced into Europe and later into 

 the United States where its cultivation has attracted consider- 

 able attention. They are not generally prized as food fish 

 by Americans, but are largely used by other nationalities and 

 so are important fish in many of the larger markets. The 

 chubs (Notropis spp.) are abundant in nearly all fresh water, 

 and sometimes reach considerable size, but they are of little 

 value as food. Many of the smaller species belonging to this 



