450 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



come iuto the sbore 10 or 12 miles from the river, but rather I think 

 these fish deposited their spawu near where they were caught." 



Also, Mr. AV. B. Tally, writing from Saybrook, Conn., December 13, 

 1886, says : 



" About 3 miles west of the Connecticut lliver is a small stream 

 called Oyster Eiver, which for the first mile is a salt water creek, and 

 which has a dam less than 2 miles from its mouth, that prevents fish 

 from ascending ; yet shad were formerly caught in the deep holes of 

 this stream, sometimes as mauy as one hundred at a liaul. Several days 

 before the nets near the Connecticut lliver take them, the fishermen 5 

 or G miles west of the river begin to catch shad that have deposited 

 their spawn. Occasionally shad are taken near the mouth of the river 

 in such condition that spawn runs freely from them, in which case it 

 would be impossible for these fish to reach fresh water in which to de- 

 posit their spawn. The fishermen here believe that shad are hatched 

 in salt or brackish water," 



Variation in nutritive value of oysters. — In the Fish Com- 

 mission Report of 1" 83, pages 48f?-488, are statistics of chemical analyses 

 of different kinds of oysters. Those from ]!sorfolk,Va., were secured in 

 April, and the Norfolk dealers have called attention to the fact that at 

 that time of the year their oysters are not in the best condition. So the 

 figures given by Professor Atwatcr should not be taken as representing 

 the nutritive value of Norfolk oysters at all times of the year. As it is 

 not stated whether these were Lynn Haven oysters,worth $2.50 per gal- 

 lon, or Elizabeth Eiver oysters, worth oO cents per gallon, the dealers 

 think less value should attach to the analyses. Probably the samples 

 furnislied to Professor Atwater were much poorer than would have been 

 obtained in theautumn or winter. Of course there was no intention to 

 do injustice to Norfolk oysters by taking them in an unfavorable season. 

 Concerning the question as to why oysters should differ in nutritive 

 value. Prof. John A. Ryder has explained in some of his reports 

 that it is due to the amount of nutritive matter stored up as connective 

 tissue in th^ body, mass, and mantle of the oyster. This tissue varies 

 greatly in amount in difiiorent individuals in different seasons. At the 

 end of the spawning season the oyster is exceedingly emaciated in flesh. 

 If such samples were selected for analysis the result would doubtless 

 b'.'/ very difierent from the case of those selected when the oysters were 

 in good condition as to flesh or fatness. 



Belostoma. — Dr. A. P. Gardner, of Dunning, Pa., has observed 

 a large beetle [Belontoma amcricanum) seizing a fish 3 inches long and 

 holding it fast. The beetle with its sharp claws goaded the fish until 

 dead, then fed upon it, sucking blood or other matter from t^e fish. 

 After drawing off his pond these beetles arose in the air in early even- 

 ing and left the place, but when the pond w^qs filled again plenty of 

 them reappeared. 



