18 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 



The first dorsal fin arises at a point vertical to a line between the bases of the pectoral and 

 ventral fins, and is composed of thirteen long and slender spinous rays : some authors have 

 enumerated fourteen. The first rays are an inch long ; the second, nearly a third longer ; 

 thence subequal to the eighth, when they rapidly subside to the last, which is attached to the 

 body by a broad black membrane. The second dorsal fin with one short simple subspinous 

 ray, and twenty-one articulated rays : it arises half an inch behind the first dorsal ; its ante- 

 rior soft rays longest, thence gradually diminishing, and ending half an inch posterior to the 

 termination of the anal fin. Pectorals somewhat pointed, 1 " 8 long, and composed of fourteen 

 rays, the tip reaching beneath the eighth ray of the spinous dorsal fin. Ventral fins placed 

 slightly behind the pectorals, and composed of one stout spine of five branched rays ; its tips 

 reach a point equidistant between its base and the vent. Caudal fin furcate, with numerous 

 accessory rays. 



Color. Yellowish olive above the lateral line ; lighter on the sides ; silvery beneath. Head 

 and gill-covers mottled with green, brownish and white. Chin pale flesh-color. Pupil dark 

 and vitreous ; irides mottled with black and yellowish. Membrane of the spinous dorsal 

 transparent, with a few dark dashes ; the upper part of the membrane tipped with black ; 

 posterior portion of the membrane, including the two last rays, black. The soft dorsal fin 

 light yellowish, spotted with brown in such a manner as to form irregular longitudinal dusky 

 bars. Pectoral fins yellowish olive, with maculated brownish bars. Ventral fins transparent 

 yellowish. Anal fin of the same color, with a broad whitish margin. Caudal fin with irre- 

 gular dusky bars. 



Total length, 14' 5. Greatest depth, 2- 2. 



Length from the snout to the point of the opercle, 3 '5. 



Fins, D. 13.1.21; P. 15; V. 1.5; A. 1.14; C. 17 }. 



This is the Common Pike, Pickerel, Pickering, Glass-eye and Yellow Pike of the Great 

 Lakes, and of most of the streams and inland lakes in the western parts of the State. In 

 Ohio it has received the name of Salmon. The ordinary common names give no correct idea 

 of its character. It is a true Perch, although its form and habits suggest very naturally the 

 idea of a Pike. I have therefore applied to it a name which indicates its true position, and is 

 a translation of its classical appellation. 



The Pike-perch is exceedingly voracious, and is highly prized as food. It is caught readily 

 with the hook, and appears to prefer as bait the common fresh-water cray-fish (Astacus 

 bartoni). The best time for fishing is in the dusk of the evening, with a great length of line 

 out, and keeping it gently in motion. The foot of rapids, or beneath mill-dams, appears to 

 • be its favorite haunts. In the heat of summer, it seeks the deepest parts of lakes, or in 

 streams in the coolest parts concealed under weeds or grass. According to Dr. Kirtland, it 

 is one of the most valuable fishes for the table, found in the western waters, and sells readily 

 at a high price. It is found in such quantities about the Maumee river, as to induce fisher- 

 men to take it as an article of commerce. At Lake Huron, it spawns in April or May. It 

 is occasionally much larger than the dimensions of the one described above. In Chautauque 



