THE MASCALONGE 



THE mascalonge, or maskinonge, the 

 name which in the Indian tongue sig- 

 nified " big fish," is a giant member 

 of the family of pikes (Lucius masqui- 

 nongy) y is found principally in the fresh waters of 

 Canada and in many of the great lakes of America, 

 and, when properly sought for, is one of the most 

 game of fresh-water fish. Varying in size from 

 four or five to sixty pounds, and in length from 

 that of the common pickerel to six feet, he is the 

 fiercest scavenger of fresh water, taking any bait 

 or food that he may come across. His move- 

 ments through the water are very rapid. He is 

 long and narrow, like the pike family, black on 

 top and silver-white underneath, with a powerful 

 tail and two large fins, one above and one below, 

 near the extreme rear of the body, just forward of 

 the tail. A similar ventral fin and two just be- 

 neath the gills complete his motive power. 



In the early spring he is found nearer the shores 

 of the waters which he inhabits than in the 

 warmer weather, when he returns to the cooler, 



vol. ii.— 3 33 



